The Steeple Times asks Carfax Education founder Alexander Nikitich: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?
Common sense.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Every aggressor should be beaten with their own sword.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
That so many people should continue to die in Syria because politicians in the West keep stoking the fire of civil war there so irresponsibly.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I wish I had the time to read all the books that I keep buying.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I’ve yet to make some wealth, but once I do, I would not mind swapping it for an ability to travel in time.
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?
If it went much deeper, the welfare state would have been dismantled. More people would have been forced to face the reality and realise that in order not to starve they have to become good at what they do and generally useful. Perhaps, the standards of service in this country would have then gone up.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
One of my educational businesses is a tutoring agency and I cannot bear the ugly word ‘tutee’ that crops up in the industry more and more often. At Carfax, it is always ‘pupils’.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
For those who pay British taxes, I feel charity has to begin at home. After so much is taken from them pretty much at gunpoint by the government and then blatantly wasted, how can they have much left to be charitable with?
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 in silent mode. People should learn that though they can be reached at any moment, they should not always be. Don’t be ruled by your mobile phone and don’t expect me to answer mine. I am easier to reach on my landline.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My school friends.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It’d have to be at a restaurant named La Scogliera on a small island just off Sardinia. I’ll have spaghetti with bottarga, sea bass, and a bottle or two of Vermentino.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Any time you feel like it.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My old school friend’s birthday party because every year he puts so much thought into making sure everyone has a good time.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mother. She always finds something good in everything and everyone.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A terribly fuel-inefficient 7-litre 20-year-old car.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Of a clear blue sky, as I would rather not be summed up by a tattoo.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Horch or a Duisenberg.
Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I am actually fairly open-minded.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
It is Russian Christmas today, so all the Christmas and New Year cards are still there.
Alexander Nikitich studied at the Moscow Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and then at Greene’s in Oxford, before taking a bachelor’s degree in PPE at Oxford. He has been engaged in educational consultancy since 1997, founded Carfax in 2005, and has also been involved in various community roles and is now a co-chairman of the Russian Speaking Community Council in Britain.
For more information about Carfax Educational Consultants, go to: http://www.carfax-education.com