What do you do?I co-create. Whether that’s teams, leaders, high-performing individuals, novels, beautiful clothes or stunning interiors, I work my socks off to take things to a better place.What skills do you have?Apart from a clutch of degrees and other qualifications, I was lucky to inherit my mum’s sense of design. I believe I’m empathetic, have learnt from life and apply it. I can engage with groups of all ages and experiences and I develop innovative ways to achieve results.What are your weaknesses?I can be impetuous - a blessing and a curse - and at times my need to speak the truth causes me problems.What traits do you value most in a person?Kindness, compassion, reciprocity and optimism. With the right emotion set, anything is possible.Choose just one for a leader.CompassionWhat are your most significant achievements?I would say my son getting into fashion school, but that was down to him. So, seeing my book, ‘A Boy in a Storm’, out there for the world to enjoy, getting my Yachtmaster qualification and returning the heart and soul to a dilapidated 1784 alpine farmhouse. These were all massive undertakings.What/who is your favourite:Poem - "Hope" is a thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson (1861)Film - Far from the Madding Crowd - the 2015 adaptation of Thomas Hardy's brilliant novelPainting - The Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn (National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh)Novel - A Boy in a Storm (my book)Business book - Funky Business: Talent Makes Capital Dance (Ridderstrale, Jonas 2001)Music - I listen to music associated with time and place rather than genreDesigner - Philippe Starck (Form follows emotion)Philosopher - René Descartes ("I think, therefore I am")What are your hobbies?Writing and all things outdoor.What might surprise us about you?I spent my early childhood in Zambia.What have you learnt late in life?That some things can’t be fixed and some things don't improve with time.What would you stand up for?Opportunity for all, fairness and respecting each other.And against?I have an aversion to abusive behaviour; whether it's passive or aggressive, in the home, in the workplace or in society generally.What most proud of?My family.Boroughmuir School.How I've carried myself.If you could do something again, what would it be?I'd hug my mum more often, and career-wise I’d move on sooner when the mood music wasn’t right.What are your hopes for the future?That as a society we talk less and do more.