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However, my time at Radley College - an all-boys public school - instilled in me a method of approaching problems and engaging with people, which guides my personal management style even today. Indeed, in many ways boarding school is a microcosm of society: to survive you have to adapt quickly, play to your own personal strengths and make use of the abilities of your peers in order for your group to thrive as a single unit.

It is also very meritocratic, and encourages ambition in whichever field you show a talent for, or an interest in. It's not hard to see how this brings out leadership potential, and it's no surprise that current England cricketer, (and sometime Captain) Andrew Strauss, John Lewis chairman Charlie Mayfield and Next CEO Simon Wolfson are all fellow Old Radleians.

Upon leaving school, I was lucky enough to secure sponsorship from United Biscuits to study for a business degree. Being both enthusiastic and confident, I was keen to make a difference. Ignoring all advice from my father about keeping my head down until I had understood how a multi-national FTSE-100 company actually worked, I came up with what I believed was a major cost-saving strategy for the Chocolate Orange wrapping process at United Biscuits' subsidiary, Terry's of York. I was so sure of myself, I wrote directly to the chairman and the managing director of the company - and in the process came within an ace of causing a walkout of virtually the entire factory packaging department. OK, so I learnt that traditional industry maybe wasn't my bag after all, but most importantly I promised myself that I would never stifle opportunity in others, or discourage anyone from innovation or imagination.

In fact it was at my next job at Laurentian Life that I was given a shot at a significant management position. Here I discovered that ability and missionary zeal can be magnified by first-hand experience. For me, the years spent working at the coal face of sales in the early part of my career are among the most valuable I've had. Some say good salespeople are born, not made - I don't subscribe to this. I believe that if you really want to learn something, there's nothing to stop you, but it's crucial to take your time to learn from the experts.

You may have noticed a strong theme of "people" developing here. I personally believe that they are a business' single most important asset: not just those who work for you, but those you meet and whose paths you cross. Never spurn a business relationship - always look to expand the network of people with whom you may do business with.

To give you an example: I first met Roy Boss when we were on a judging panel together some years ago - and he invited me to interview for the position of European managing director of the world's largest marketing services company, Brann. In the mid-1990s, I employed Simon Johnson as sales director at ICD Marketing Services - last year I led a management team to buy his company, DLG. To complete the circle, Roy Boss is now one of DLG's non-executive directors. QED!

Finally and perhaps the most important secret of all: do not underestimate the importance of maintaining a work/life balance. Five years ago I suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage, from which I was not expected to survive. Thankfully, I made a full recovery, and as a result of this life-changing experience I now feel totally in control of my business and personal life, rather than letting them control me. I have no doubt that it has made me more successful but, more importantly, it has made me much happier, too.

CV
EDUCATION
1977: Radley College
FIRST JOB
1982 : United Biscuits - sponsored business degree
CLIMBING THE LADDER
1985: National sales director, Laurentian Life
1994: Deputy MD, ICD Marketing Services
1997: MD, WR Knowledge store
2000: European president and MD, Brann Marketing Services
2006: CEO, DLG
SECRETS
- Recognise your strengths/weaknesses and learn from your mistakes
- Draw on the strengths of those around you
- Give people the chance to thrive, and encourage enterprise and
initiative
- Learn from experience, and from that of others
- Never spurn a business relationship
- Recognise the necessity of work/life balance