The boss of Nomura Securities' Principal Finance unit - the bit that did deals like this one, buying up large estates of cash generating but dull businesses (5000 pubs was another) -was until this year a chap called Guy Hands. Nomura was the lead bank in the sale of the married quarters estate.
Link to Annington saying this is so
Guy is William Hague's best friend. He advised him not to become Tory leader and to spend the time until beyond the 2001 elections "f*cking his brains out".
an Oxford chum, Guy Hands, a "close friend and political ally", told Hague to forget about the leadership for at least five years, because he had some real living to do first before he could qualify for the role. Hague should enjoy some time with his new fiancee. Or, as the "blunt but persuasive" message actually put it, Hands advised him: "**** your brains out for the next few years."
Link to profile and quote
In 1996 William Hague was a member of the Cabinet.