The first one I came across, Lord Douro, rich bloke I honestly never heard of before.. Just before posting I searched again and dug up more [at the bottom].
Appointed September 2003:
"Marquess of Douro OBE
Lord Douro is currently Chairman of Richemont Holdings UK and Framlington Group Ltd. From 1995 to 2000 he was Chairman of Sun Life & Provincial Holdings PLC and served Surrey West as an MEP from 1979 to 1989. He was a Trustee of the Phoenix Trust from 1996 to 2001, Chair of British-Spanish Tertulias from 1993 to 1998 and a Member of Council of the Royal College of Art between 1992 and 1997. He was Founder Chairman of The Patrons of British Art at the Tate Gallery from 1987 to 1990. He has been Chairman of the Textile Conservation Centre in Winchester since 2000."
http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Press_notices/archive_2003/DCMS102_2003.htm
Strangely enough, from March 2003, only four months previously...
"Lord Douro, the duke's heir, has said he will withdraw possessions from the house if English Heritage runs it. English Heritage, at least in private, has said it doesn't care if he does."
Just as I was about to leave The Marquis as a shining example of cynicism on my part, I found this beauty:
"Question: Request for 'all papers in DCMS records relating to the decision in 2003 to appoint Lord Douro a Commissioner of English Heritage'. Case Number 54836
http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/exeres/0011024C-7690-4AA3-A24E-AEAFBD579899.htm
Now I know I'm a cynic, but is this really the sort of chap one would expect to be in charge of decisions affecting our heritage?