The Steeple Times asks fund manager Alan Miller: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
It’s a four letter word. It’s Gina, not the four letter word you were thinking about.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Believe in what you do and have fun whilst you are doing it.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Sorry, not sure what Kerry Katona means? Is that a sexually transmitted disease?
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Certainly not having Tony Blair as Prime Minister.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Anything for my children.
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’s akin to the line from Wall Street about greed being good but greed is in fact good for bankers but not for anyone else.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
I loathe all American sayings especially “at this time” as I think it just should be “now”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I support the small community charities that Miller Philanthropy supports. They are the unsung heroes.
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?
They should always be switched off during meals, sleep and sex.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
All my genuine friends and family… So just my family then.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It would have to be in Bruno’s Truffle Restaurant in Lourges. I would have the full à la carte menu knowing that even if I got off I’d die from a heart attack shortly after anyway.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
When it’s light somewhere in the world.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea. I don’t like gin.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
The Golden Eye parties in Jamaica as no one cares who the hell you are.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My seven year old son, Luca.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Fine wine and fine food.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
The tattoo would say: “I prefer pleasure to pain” but I imagine Max Moseley might think the reverse.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d be an Aston Martin DB9 because it’d be extremely nippy but getting a bit old with bits starting to drop off.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I sit opposite my wife in an open plan office by day and see her most evenings but would still rather sit next to her than anyone else at a dinner party.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A wind-up perpetual motion clock that looks very beautiful but has only ever wound up its owner by never working.
Alan Miller is the founding partner and chief investment officer of SCM Private. For more information, go to: http://www.scmprivate.com