To be an accountant, you know the people who make actuaries look exciting.
What has been your best moment in management?
Taking the Virgin One account from a standing start to a successful company which is now being copied by the major institutions.
And your greatest mistake?
I try not to think of anything as a mistake, more an opportunity to learn from, move on and try to avoid it in future.
How would you describe your management style?
Focused on achieving results by making business easy for customers and fun for staff.
What do you find most annoying in your staff?
Not realising just how talented they are.
Does your organisation have a glass ceiling?
No. The glass ceiling only exists in our own minds. It is one of those mind-forged manacles as William Blake put it.
What management wisdom is most over-rated?
Anything to do with conforming to rules. Rules are there to be broken.
What is the biggest challenge facing Virgin One?
Growing into a major financial company without losing the specialness that comes from being small but dynamic.
What single lesson would you pass on to would-be managers?
Believe in yourself and others will believe in you.
Which management guru do you believe in?
I like any management guru that challenges us to question convention. Ronnie Lessem has always done that for me.
Who is your management hero?
Sir Alex Ferguson, you just can't ignore him for passion, belief, inspiration and results.
If you could change one aspect of British business, what would it be?
In general I don't think British business is sufficiently well focused on the customer. World class business is customer crazy.
Do you have a view on the British membership of the Emu?
I can see all sides of the argument. We need decisive leaders to take us forward.
What phrase or saying do you most over-use?
"Fantastic".
Apart from quality time with your family, what else makes you happiest in life?
I'm at my happiest in those rare moments when all the chores are done, no meetings and no paperwork then I lose myself in a good book.
What makes you lose your temper?
Selfishness.
How do you relax?
I've been running for 18 months and didn't know what relaxation was before.
What was your last cultural experience?
Visiting the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
What is your favourite city?
Paris is no contest.
What is your greatest regret?
That I haven't had children.
What is your biggest fear?
Dying and not making a difference.
What would you really like to have been?
I'm happy as I am, honest!
