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Most memorable/fondest memory of Univ? Summer pursuits and the sheer independence of our lives.
Awkward moments at Univ? Not being sure of how things would work out with my classicist, heavy smoking, left-wing room mate - but we became the best of friends.
The most important thing I learnt? Marshall your thoughts and stand your ground (there were two very penetrating law dons to withstand weekly)
Most important thing you wish you had learnt at Oxford? Goodness! What the eyes do not see, the heart does not grieve over.
Percent satisfaction with Oxford? 80 to 85%
Proudest achievement of my career? Some major deals at my peak and developing a very integrated family.
Lowest point in my life? No stand-out event or period but some bumps along the way!
Adjective that best describes career? Focused.
% of potential achieved? 70 to 75%.
Most significant unfulfilled ambition? Would love to learn real fluency in a foreign language.
Level of optimism about medium-term future of the world? 55-60% - it's going to get harder and harder to satisfy the expectations (and needs) of the world population.
Professional Life: Long-term career as a City corporate lawyer; spiced for a few years by being a non-executive director of an educational charity and an interesting technology company; still continuing as a legal consultant to a law firm outside the City.
Personal Life: Real life took over pretty soon after I graduatred from Univ - within six months, I had completed my Solicitor's Finals and was married; not a whirlwind engagement as I had met my wife-to-be, Susan, shortly before going up to Oxford and we had dated throughout my university years (several OMs will remember her visits). We married in 1966 so the marriage has taken on a degree of permanency.
In parallel with my one-time marriage, I have pursued a one-time career as a company lawyer mostly in the City building up my expertise and connection over the years and riding the ups and downs of the financial markets from the 1970s onwards.
Family life has been good to me and for me - we have had three fine sons, all now married with their own children so the family has expanded rather than contracting; I had expected that at least one of my sons might have followed to Univ, but capable and independent, two went to Cambridge (the source of some minor annual conflicts) and the third went to Bristol University so family discussions can be demanding.
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A family photo taken at the wedding of our youngest son in 2004
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