My Profile

1965 – hitchhiked London to Cape Town; ship back; then Trinity College Cambridge, read Moral Sciences and Law. Lived in France for 18 months; taught English and wrote a successful course for businessmen learning English.
Then four years with Bradbury Wilkinson, printers of banknotes. Was responsible for selling banknotes to countries and central banks throughout Africa. Became bored of too much travel, and went into headhunting. Did this for 25 years, becoming a managing partner with Korn/Ferry – largest headhunting company in the world. For the last five years set up offices in Russia/India/Turkey/Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile had become a serious aerobatic pilot, with a business doing public aerobatic displays, and also representing Britain at World and European Aerobatic Championships for 15 years. In 1984 had major structural failure doing a public display; violent accident and just survived! Then bought the first Sukhoi aerobatic aeroplane that had been sold to the West; and subsequently began buying light aircraft in Russia; either selling on directly or having them overhauled in Eastern Europe before sale. Also set up a business in Russia in the early 90s for Westerners to go to Russia to fly military jets. Current business is, with a partner in Hungary, overhauling the Russian engines of these light aircraft.
Married 1987. No children, but many dogs.
In the meantime have restored three major listed houses in the UK, and also turning an old tea estate in Sri Lanka into a rather successful boutique hotel, but recently sold after 13 years.
Now have a small farm in Herefordshire, UK, from where I run the aviation business, and also have a collection of cars.