International
Born in Bath, England, I enjoyed different cultural environments living, working and studying in Vienna, Cambridge, Paris, Berlin, Minas Gerais and Zurich.
Multilingual
As my great-uncle Larry always used to say, “l’homme qui parle deux langues, vaut deux hommes.” I speak French, German and English. Decent Swiss-German. My Brazilian-Portuguese is rusty and I acquired a smattering of street Castellano while hitch-hiking in Spain with David Beckham (more below).
Logical
Law is code. I studied English Law and French Law in Cambridge and Paris. Law is akin to reading philosophy and applying mathematics. It demands precision and requires discussion. I read the small print before I sign. Rules are also an expression of my IF…, THEN… mathematical persona that likes talking with computers and developers.
Journalist
I achieved a childhood dream by becoming a foreign correspondent. When I began paid journalism - writing for my local daily newspaper at the age of 13 - my goal was to work internationally and report on other cultures. Experience gained with Reuters, The Independent, The Guardian, and Sky television led to a job with Bloomberg.
Financial
Bloomberg tells the story of money, in real time. I questioned CEOs and board members of listed companies across Switzerland. (There were also stories on art heists, extradition, murder, plane crashes and stolen bank accounts.) I interviewed central bankers, economists, regulators and lobbyists to report on the battle to (re)regulate global finance.
MBA
The reporting of business awoke my interest in the business of business. Studying at HSG in St Gallen taught me more about value, organisations, entrepreneurship and emerging markets. And about myself.
Adventurer
Hitch-hiking with a Galáctico: I rode from Paris to Madrid with a life-size, home-made, wooden David Beckham cut-out. It was Beckham’s first season with Real Madrid, so I assumed him to be the most recognizable Englishman on the continent to help attract rides for my journey.
Shoot the French: I organized a Lomography competition and exhibition in Paris. Free cameras, free film development and a free party for hundreds of students from across the Cité Universitaire.
STEMette from 1750: I campaigned for pioneering, 18th–century astronomer Caroline Herschel, to be given greater recognition by the William Herschel Society. I tapped astronomy networks winning the full, public support of the American Astronomical Society, leading international astronomers and astrophysicists, and members of the Royal Astronomical Society. Donations led to paid annual lectureships for promising, young, female astroscientists. The campaign also encouraged the group to modernise, rebranding as the Herschel Society three years later.
Halloween Holy Blood Drive: I organised a Halloween-themed blood donation drive at the Blutspende Zentrum Zürich. Fancy dress costumes, and English & German ghost stories read to donors while they gave blood and thrombocytes.
These diverse, enriching experiences make me excellent.