20 questions with leading clean technology investor Ben Goldsmith
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My love of the natural world.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Behold the turtle. He sticks his neck out”.
20 questions with businessman, restaurateur and philanthropist Derek Taylor
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Never give up on your dreams.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Do as you would be done by.
20 questions with chocolatier Amelia Rope
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Drive and determination.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Keep it simple, remain focused and go for it.
20 questions with singer-songwriter Tom Bem
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Success and positivity.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
I’ve adopted the Olympic motto ‘Faster Higher Stronger’. It’s mine now.
20 questions with author, screenwriter, playwright and literary critic Peter Jukes
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
‘Duende’. Sounds pretentious I know, but it basically means follow things, people, events that have ‘soul’.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
You must change your life.
The Steeple Times asks fashion management consultant Bhavna Ahluwalia: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Spirituality.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
That certainly isn’t mine. My motto is: “To love and to belong”.
The Steeple Times asks artist Leonard Johansson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Inspiration, creativity and free will.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Show, don´t tell.
The Steeple Times asks fashion creative, writer and television host Nik Thakkar: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I fear there isn’t time to accomplish the things I must.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
I am my past all played at once. Be present in every action, it dictates the man you become.
The Steeple Times asks television producer and host Nick Oram: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
The willingness to change and learning from my mistakes.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
North Korea – Kim Jong-un bromance with Dennis Rodman.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Not seeing my family often enough.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
To be even happier… If that’s even possible
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Overleveraging and margin calls were the undoing of the big banks. Too big to fail? … Or not (as the case turned out).
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“With all due respect”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I believe in offering benevolent goodwill towards the needy and suffering. I support the Children’s Miracle Network.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Can you hear me now?!?
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My besties.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Having a picnic on a lawn eating surf ‘n’ turf.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Noon.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini on the rocks. Slightly dirty.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own. They’re all with my favorite people.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mom.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Sleeping on crisp clean cool white bed sheets.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Superman.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
My car. A Porsche 911 Carrera.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I grew up on a farm. Well, almost.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Pictures of family and friends.
Nick Oram is an American television producer and host. He is also well known as a spinning class teacher. His “rides” have helped shape the bodies of Justin Timberlake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Wahlberg, Alicia Keys, Kelly Ripa, Katy Perry, Nicole Kidman, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Ashley Tisdale, Paris Hilton and Carmen Electra.
View his official website here.
Like his Facebook page here and follow him on Twitter here.
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here.
The Steeple Times asks property venture capitalist Faisal Butt: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My inner voice. It somehow knows where I’m heading and is leading the way.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer” – This one simple motto has been responsible for unlocking most of my successes.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Not exploiting the opportunities around you and not taking control of your destiny.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Definitely my family. And the sunny weather in California I’ve given up to be in London.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Good health, if I was losing it.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
People (and companies and institutions) must live within their means.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“It’s not possible” or “I can’t”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I prefer to help others through guiding and mentoring than through more traditional forms of charity. The sharing of wisdom has longevity and transformational power.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Use two at a time to multitask.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
A selection of inspirational entrepreneurs. Steve Jobs would definitely be in the carriage.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It would be In-N-Out burger (only available in California, sorry) and I’d want to be overlooking Malibu beach.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
On the day I complete a deal for a new venture, anytime is ok. But generally, weekday or daytime drinking goes against the spirit of who I am.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy hosting, so my own.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Me. I tend to think anything is possible – if you open up your mind and think creatively, you can find a way to get what you what.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A square of dark chocolate every evening.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
An arrow in the bull’s eye of an archery target
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d be a spaceship instead. I tend to move at a faster pace than everyone else around me.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I do, from time to time, stop working and relax.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A family photo from a beach holiday, my wife’s to-do list, and a card made by my daughter.
Faisal Butt is the co-founder of Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate. His companies include 90 North Real Estate Partners, Accouter Design, Prime London Holdings, The London Management Company and Ivy Gate.
View his LinkedIn.com profile here.
Follow him on Twitter here.
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here.