It's not only Spain that's been downgraded this week. Ian Austin, Manchester's favourite son and the former Executive Chairman of the now defunct Halliwells, has also found himself on the end of a slightly humiliating downgrade.

Austin is not just the man behind Halliwells' disastrous move into the eye-wateringly expensive Spinningfields premises. Or one of the partners who pocketed his share of a £20m cash incentive from the Landlord. He also holds the prestigious role of Chair of the Audit Committee at the University of Salford.

And until last week his bio on the university's site was lengthy and glowing. Austin was described as one of  the "most dynamic figures in the North West market." This is the same chap who made whining excuses to The Lawyer following the demise of his firm. He's praised for guiding Halliwells "through a series of bold initiatives that saw it become Manchester's largest law firm". Presumably the same bold initiatives that saw a max exodus of partners, a slashing of associate salaries, rock bottom morale and the turning off of the office air con.

It gets worse. "Stong leadership, business focus, open communications and sound financial management are his trademarks." And the final cracker "he has guided Halliwells through a period of accelerated growth and remains committed to its success and long term future."

This fawning bio remianed on the uni's site for some time before it was finally toned down to this:


Still, at least he remains one of the region's leading lawyers.