Started off by helping a friend develop a small software house as a spare time activity (non executive) whilst still holding down full time job. Ended up by joining, and then really ramping up the acceleration of the business - which grew from 2 people to 120 or so. Learned a huge amount about the way companies can and should be structured through growth, and the various issues which arise - from develping departments and standards, through to governance and change management right through to job and consistency control.

Working with Stuart Lipton on the real estate developments at Broadgate, Ludgate, Stockley Park - part of renegotiation team on £1Bn of asset finance: creation of business plans for Stockely Park. Assisted in the five year plan for Kajima Europe. Learned a huge amount about property development from the coal face - from the initial raising of the finance, through to dealing with design and then build, tenant negotiations and ultimate refinancing and business reconstruction. With Kajima, the learning included the Japanese and Asian cultures. Fabulous people to work with. The overall experience was at a fantastic time for real estate and London. Negotiating a £165million unsecured overdraft facility - probably impossible today - but at the same time pioneering deep discounted bond structures, shared appreciation mortgages, various interest derivatives - and then dealing with cleaners and IT consultants. The team was absolutely fantastic, and a real privilege to have been with.

During this period, and outside of 'normal work' I was involved in other activities. Of particular note:- I put a plan and a bid together to buy a Ferrari Dealership (happened to be Europe's largest independent) and 'recruited' key people who would join when the bid was successful. We arranged finance and commenced negotiations with the current owners (part of Harrods). An intense period, especially with the rest of the career. Ultimately, ended up dealing with different parts of various families. Tragically, the once proud and successful Ferrari dealership was 'thrown away' and ended up as a Toyota (!) dealership before the premises were converted into flats. What a shame. But the experience of creating teams, vision, raising finance, negotating is one which I would recommend to everyone.- Later in that period, I developed, along with the father of a friend, an Antiques business in the South of England. I had to borrow a large sum of money in my own right - a huge amount - which really taught me the issues of being an entrepreneur - and something which I never, ever, really understood in my time in professional firms.

Began by joining as an 'experienced hire' into Audit in London working on a variety of client assignments. At the same time, was invited to join training department (as an 'associate') where I helped develop a number of professional courses - ended up in a join role in Audit and also Director of Recruitment (responsible for graduate and experienced hires). Created a short term interchange programme between UK and Australasia to smooth workflows and add CPD, revamped recruitment policies and procedures. Innovated created and produced first ever major firm annual report (including abridged accounts) which was highly politically charged and was part of the taskforce on the merger between Arthur Young and Ernst & Whinney which gave rise to Ernst & Young. Much dealing with the politics of large partnerships.

Trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross starting off briefly in Bristol before ending in London. Amazing range of clients in early years, from small owner managed businesses through to multi nationals, and a fantastic grounding in the world of business (not just accounting). Nothing like it. Undertook significant amount of international work in Caribbean - and, amazingly, after I left I received an invitation to my major Belize client to come back for a holiday - they provided me with a car, house, driver and aircraft to enjoy. Must have created a favourable impression. Learned that there is much more to accounting and auditing than just preparing or checking numbers. Its all about the people, their businesses, goals, strategies. The rest is just numbers. And judgement.

Looking after customers, helping them make good choices for Electronic equipment, perfumes (!) and makeup and even assisting in pharmacy under watchful eye of qualified pharmacist. Also responsible for stock ordering, staff management and motivation and deputising for manager when he or she was out of the shop. Quite responsible for a youngster.