Sir Edward Lister

The chief strategic advisor to PM Boris Johnson who thrives on getting things done and who was once regarded as Margaret Thatcher's favourite council leader.A former alarms company executive, Edward Lister's political career began in the London Borough of Wandsworth which was at the forefront of Thatcherism at the turn of the 1980s.A council leader for nearly two decades, he made the leap to City Hall when Boris Johnson made him his deputy - and he's been a trusted aide and fixer ever since.Despite his position, Sir Edward has kept a low public profile, working behind the scenes resolving recent Brexit stalemates. This week he's been the go-between in the negotiations between the government and city mayors in the North of England in the debate over the financial cost of Covid-19. Mark Coles profiles the life of the man described as the 'grown-up' at Number 10 who thrives on solving problems. Producers: Richard Fenton-Smith & Ben Crighton