What inspires you?

Nature

How do you relax?

Walking in Greenwich Park; reading novels; music; physical exercise; tidying my house; noticing beauty; finding my centre

What single thing would improve the quality of your work-life?

Cheap, efficient, fast, reliable, low-carbon transport links

What is your greatest fear?

Sleepwalking through my life

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Flying

What words or phases do you most overuse?

Hmmmmmm

What has been your most challenging situation as a leader?

Being attacked

What did you learn from that experience?

No wound inflicted by anyone else is as debilitating as those I have inflicted on myself

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being fully present

Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?

“The Yiddish Policemen’s Union” by Michael Chabon: a genius of a writer and evidence – once more – that novels can be the greatest text books for those interested in life and leadership.

Which 'leader' from the past or present day do you most admire and why?

Arthur Ashe: Grace; flexibility; the will to win; the willingness to be vulnerable; the stubbornness to arrive at his own sense of self in a world eager to define him; the courage to accept death. I could have chosen many other leaders … but Arthur came to mind.

Where would you like to live?

Right here, right now

What is your favourite smell?

My Love

If you were a super hero, what would your power be?

“Empathy Man”: Wherever I went, people would be able to put themselves in each others’ shoes

For what cause would you die?

I’m not sure

What do you consider to be your greatest (professional or personal) achievement?

Balance

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Concentrating on “winning” the argument, when the situation required me to reach out and make a connection.

If you were stranded on a desert island what 5 things would you want with you?

Surprise me!