Most memorable/fondest memory of Univ? Being production manager of "A Man for all Seasons", I believe that the profits kept Univ players going for a few years. Secondly playing in the varsity squash match and winning the deciding tie. (oh and getting an un-vivaed second)

Awkward moments at Univ? Saying to Peter Strawson at our schools dinner that I thought accusations of cheating against an English bridge player were true. I missed the twinkle in his eye when he said "do you realise you are talking about my cousin". He let me squirm for twenty minutes before he let me off the hool. A good lesson about being careful what you say in public.

The most important thing I learnt? Everybody matters. Life is tough enough without making unnecessary enemies. The more you look, the more you find.

Most important thing you wish you had learnt at Oxford? I think I should have been more worldy about thinking what career path to follow.

Percent satisfaction with Oxford? 80%

Proudest achievement of my career? Resigning from Midland Banl over a matter of ethical principle in 1989 and then taking over as group CEO of Guinness Mahon. Being made a Fellow of Kings College London, where I was a treasurer for ten years.

Lowest point in my life? Getting divorced a second time.

Adjective that best describes career? Varied

% of potential achieved? 80%

Most significant unfulfilled ambition? To lower my golf handicap and hae an article published in The Spectator. I am beginning to wonder about trying to get back into the city to help clean the mess up.

Level of optimism about medium-term future of the world? Personally (having had 5 years of cancer and a triple heart by-pass) I am recovered and living on borrowed time so I am very optimistic. As far as the UK, the financial system and the EU is concerned I am profoundly gloomy. I am more optimistic about the emerging economies but I feel we are in a one way street. I fear that as our politicians are increasingly shown to be short term partisan thinkers without any long term strategy we could have another rise of far left and far right parties. The burden of debt and unfunded pensions will eventually bring us down.

Professional Life: 35 years in all forms of activity in the city followed by 12 years as an independent director and chairman of various companies and trustee of charities. Amongst these are Quercus Publishing (who published the Stieg Larsson trilogy), The National Film and TV School Foundation, Spark Ventures and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund UK. 

As a theme that started with Univ Players I am quite good at being "a suit" amongst creatives both in the media and academia (having been a Governor of Bryanston for 27 years)

Personal Life: Joanna (who some will remember from St Hugh's) and I have two daughters and with my third wife, Jill, I have a daughter of 19 who has just finished her first year at Durham, which sounds as near to the Oxford of the '60's as you can get.