The A-List: 2008

Born

22nd September 1956

Job

Founding partner

Company

Unity

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7317 2900.

Address

7-10 Beaumont Mews, London, W1G 6EB

Fantasy business partner

Since you haven't defined your terms, it would either be Tim Smit (chief executive and visionary of The Eden Project) or Eva Herzigova (six-foot blonde).

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Taking the train and walking everywhere once I'm in London. Giving up sprouts and cabbage.

Greatest influence

Ollie; Tim Cox; Ivan; Richard; Carolyn. And realising that after last year's health scare, each day is so precious.

Clubs

The Hospital Club, The Cricketers Club of London, Nadir Dining Services.

Favourite gadget

My Nikon D200, which was a present from Ivan Pollard.

Desert island objects

The Gormenghast trilogy; Let it Be by The Beatles, my Nikon D200.

Most-admired politician

Nelson Mandela. He is living proof that you don't need to be a lying, two-faced charlatan to be in politics.

Favourite media

The Guardian, Private Eye, Mock the Week, with Kevin Brown fronting it, Radio 4, abebooks.co.uk.

Biggest risk taken

Eschewing the comforts of PAYE and explaining why to my wife. (That's two!).

Perfect day

Walking along The Ridgeway in the sun to a small village inn with people I care about, and my dog, too.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

A 50-year-old Paul McCartney. Isn't that right, Jeremy?

Career highlights

BMP; Delaney Fletcher Delaney; Zenith Media; Unity; Ingram; Unity reborn.

Fictional hero

Titus Groan.

Hidden talent

Photography.

Best job outside advertising

Going back to the council estate where I grew up to work on a youth project with five to 15-year-olds.

Lowdown

The closure of Ingram this year was a real blow to anyone involved. But the cerebral Tilley has taken the opportunity to resurrect his old strategic media brand, Unity. Whether or not he will make more of a success of it this time around remains to be seen.

Most expensive purchase

My wife Ollie's birthday or Christmas present.

Why are you good at what you do?

If I am, it's because I love what I do.