The reason he has a circle of powerful friends may be that he is, by nature, friendly.

ECONOMIST: People power rides again

But, much though the business-friendly Mr Clement may be tempted, he is being urged by his party leaders in Berlin to try to remake a coalition with the obstreperous Greens.

ECONOMIST: Germany

So it's unfortunate that he may be about to become better known for using a less environmentally-friendly form of travel.

BBC: No 10 trip earns Welsh Secretary "Jones the Jag" tag

Since taking over at ImClone, he's installed one director from his own firm and two others that may be friendly to him, including a Harvard Medical School professor Icahn also nominated for the board of Biogen Idec when he sought to take control there.

FORBES: BristolClone? Watch Wilmington.

Since taking over at ImClone, he's installed one director from his own firm and two others that may be friendly to him, including a Harvard Medical School professor Icahn also nominated for the board of Biogen Idec (nasdaq: BIIB - news - people ) when he sought to take control there.

FORBES: BristolClone? Watch Wilmington.