Prime Minister David Cameron hailed one of outgoing UJIA chairman Mick Davis’s most visible successes at the charity’s dinner on Monday: his narrower waistline.

The chief executive of mining group Xstrata has achieved “something extraordinary,” said the Premier. “Many people in business, their businesses get smaller and they get bigger. He has managed to do things the other way round.”

He might have added that it was especially creditable, too, for a Jewish charity leader, who has many a dinner on the fundraising circuit to negotiate. And there will be a few more crusted lamb and pavlovas to confront. Although Mr Davis is retiring as head of the UJIA, he will continue as chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council.