Well, that’s the conclusion to be drawn from the interview with her in this week’s Accountancy Age. Now a Treasury spokesperson, the Baroness was described by one source as ‘the kind of person who could easily steamroll others.'

Naturally, the observer was not referring to some Fred Dibnah characteristic of cruising country lanes in a lovingly restored vintage steam engine. No this is about a tough and uncompromising approach to work

Our source said: ‘It was easy to be brushed aside by her – you had to stand up for yourself, and then she respected you.’

That sounds more like she refused to suffer fools gladly and expected everyone to support their case, rather than wilt in the face of sustained argument. What else would you expect from a successful partner in a top firm?

This must be the approach that stood her in good stead for an entry into politics. Her interventions on the question of making audit inspection reports public are example of pushing a serious line in the face of some opposition. Her plain speaking and determination easily outweighing the

Keep on steamrolling Baroness Noakes.