In a world where we’re always available, how do you separate your personal time from your work time?
I commute by train and have developed a habit of plugging in to the Headspace app during the journey home each evening. I find a few minutes of mindfulness on-the-go helps to separate work and personal time. It moves me into a different head space, helps me forget the ups and downs of the day, and really helps to reset and refocus. I have also encouraged my son to use the app since he was young, so sometimes we do that together whenever we feel like giving our minds a healthy break. I think that's really important in the busy modern world.
What activity do you do in your time away from the office that helps you relax and re-centre after a stressful week?
When I’m not at work I love spending time with my family and having moved to a new house over the summer, there are always tasks to divert my mind away from work! One thing I have loved doing recently is designing our home's garden, but one thing I hadn'tt appreciated is quite how much time and hard work it takes to maintain. You will now find me raking leaves or attempting to nurture all my new plants in the hope that they wont die!
After home and the office, where’s your favourite third space?
The Groucho Club and The Ned are two of my favourite places to catch up with friends. I love that there is always a buzz, but somehow it also feels peaceful and relaxing. I have met so many new people there – some have become good friends while I've been able to build connections, make introductions and kick off new ideas from a work perspective with others.
On Sunday night, how do you prepare yourself for the week ahead?
I firmly believe in the benefits of having a positive outlook; happiness breeds happiness. So as I prepare for a week of work, I focus on the things I'm looking forward to and think about the confidence I have in my team to deliver what we are aiming for in terms of an amazing experience for customers.
Best reason you've had to turn your Out of Office on recently?
I went to see Back to the Future: The Musical recently with my family and it was absolutely excellent. Growing up in the Eighties, it's one of my all-time favourite movies and it was great to see such an iconic film adapted for the stage. Such a fun night out and the perfect reason to switch off my phone. However, the hundreds of complicated questions I am now receiving from my son about time travel have not been quite so entertaining!
Your go-to Out of Office outfit: With the temperature the way it is at the moment in London, it has to be my Barbour Beacon jacket, Crocket & Jones suede Chelsea boots, N. Peal quarter-zip jumper, L'estrange London 24hr chinos and gilet by Mr P – my perfect cold weather weekend outfit.
Your happy place anywhere in the world: The Maldives; it truly is an awe-inspiring place to visit.
Your favourite bar or restaurant: 45 Jermyn Street. I order a steak tartare and a glass of the La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 Rioja or an Old Fashioned.
Something cultural/sporting you booked recently that you'd recommend: We go to Goodwood Revival every year as a family, and it has become something of a tradition. I’m a huge petrolhead and the vintage theme adds a whole extra level of interest and amusement.
Something you've listened to or read recently that you'd recommend: The standouts from my reading list in 2022 were: To Sell is Human by Daniel H Pink (whether you are selling products, negotiating with colleagues, teaching children or pitching ideas, the art of engaging and collaborating with people is becoming an ever-increasing part of our lives); How to Begin by Michael Bungay Stanier (sometimes after all the planning you just need to take action, and as you do, evaluate your progress and just start. Things won’t always be perfect but continuous improvement and testing and learning with others is part of the fun of any endeavour and your personal growth); and Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (which highlights how he took the opportunities in life that led him to where he is now mentally and professionally through maverick thinking).
A hobby you'd like to cultivate: Despite numerous attempts I have never quite mastered golf and I really want to. I’m now having regular lessons with my son and hoping we can learn together.
A luxury that’s actually a necessity: Socks from fellow Walpole member The London Sock Company, my Dunhill card case and a Samsung S22 Ultra (sorry iPhone fans!).
Best luxury under £25: A relaxing cup of Fortnum’s Royal Blend Tea and a Pistachio Clotted Cream Biscuit.
