Simon Ogilvie-Harris: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks the founder and managing director of Chavín Jewellery Simon Ogilvie-Harris: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

I don’t really have a guiding force. I take every day as it comes.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

A very wise man once told me: “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2014?

24-hour days. There is just not enough time in the day. I am petitioning to add an extra hour to every day. Apparently, Westminster is wholeheartedly behind the idea.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Snake. I don’t know if you remember the old mobile phones. Snake was one of the best games ever. It’s just not the same on smart phones.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Health and serenity.

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?

It wasn’t regulated enough and for the benefit of a few, lots suffered.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“That was expected of you”: Everyone deserves recognition for their hard work.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

It is important to look after those at home but equally I think it is important to help people in other countries in need. Chavín supports vulnerable mothers and families torn apart by poverty at the SOS Children’s Luz Y Vida project in Lima, Peru. We make a donation from every sale we make.

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?

Always have a protective case.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Richard Branson, Boris Johnson, Johnny Depp, Albert Einstein, Plato and Natalie Massenet.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

It’s not so much what the food is or where I’m eating but rather who I am with. I would want to be with my friends and family.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

I have a cup of coffee every morning when I wake up.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of tea – preferably green tea.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Fashion parties with colorfully glamorous dresses. They are always much better when I catch a glimpse of our jewellery on a fashionista.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My mother: She has always supported me and believed in me so that I can work towards making my dreams become real.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Eggs royale at a café on a Saturday morning reading the newspaper.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

It would be these words: “Age Quod Agis” which means “focus on the business in hand”.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

An Aston Martin.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I was one of the top scorers on my university ice hockey team.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A stuffed toy alpaca from one of my recent trips to Peru; he’s called Cusco.

Simon Ogilvie-Harris is the founder and managing director of Chavín Jewellery. Launched in September 2011 it can be found onboard British Airways, in Fenwick Department Stores and online.

Follow Chavín Jewellery on Twitter @ChavinJewellery.

Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here: