The A-List: 2008

Born

10th December 1958

Job

Chairman and chief executive

Company

Ogilvy Group UK

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7345 3225.

Address

10 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4QB

Fantasy business partner

David Ogilvy.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Try to keep my own waffle, hot air and blather to a minimum.

Greatest influence

Nelson Mandela.

Clubs

None.

Favourite gadget

Denon microsystem.

Desert island objects

My wife Sharon, and my two daughters, Alexis and Caitlin.

Most-admired politician

Nelson Mandela, for preventing bloodiness and bitterness through nothing more than sheer charisma and force of personality.

Favourite media

The Sunday Times, Harvard Business Review, Grand Designs, www.chardonnay-du-monde.com.

Biggest risk taken

Life is an inherently risky business.

Perfect day

At home in Camps Bay, Cape Town with family, friends and Chardonnay.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Donald Sutherland.

Career highlights

Still waiting (and hoping) for one.

Fictional hero

Stephen Kumalo (the pastor in Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country).

Hidden talent

I am a qualified bricklayer.

Best job outside advertising

Shelf-stacker for a supermarket chain.

Lowdown

Making strides towards turning the Ogilvy Group into a fully-fledged integrated company, with strong offerings in all mediums. One of adland's most jovial men, he is a real find for the UK market.

Most expensive purchase

My stash of Chardonnay.

Why are you good at what you do?

Being frank, open and accessible.