The Steeple Times asks strategist and businessman Allard Marx: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Caterine Axelsson’s daily smile.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
There is always a way. “How?” not “Why?” should be the guiding principle of our lives.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Is she Eric’s sister? Unchecked greedy bankers. Ignoring the irrefutable damage we are doing to world’s waters and all forms of life.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
The sunshine. I live in London.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
More people’s lives flourishing with their own efforts added. Before that, some wealth to do that with would be wonderful.
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?
Reducing their profits expectations with some more risk-taking by providing credit to business might help everyone. In other words, replacing the ridiculously high salaries of some executives and high dividends for a few shareholders with liquidity to benefit many.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Yes my friend” from someone I’ve just met and “You awright there?” in shops.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Generosity of spirit wins you “Karma Kredits”. The Going Blue Foundation is a charity I co-founded with Susannah Stewart and Roberto Danovaro and is where the money I don’t have often goes.
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?
Using them out of my earshot.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Caterine Axelsson, Willem Marx, Alex Marx, Harry Langley, Patricia Lukas, Michael Kermer, David Robson, Nick King, Brian Smurthwaite, Luca Sprea, Michelle Cuthbert, David Draier, Diederik van Lede, Irina Kouptcha, Tracy Elner, Filippo Verrone, Marina Capello, Rosalind Milani Gallieni, Peter Kirchem, Richard Hoare, Eduard van Raay, Gisela Söderstrom, Serena Massa, Maggie Wright. Good friends all of them.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Something tasty, spicy and filling. Kway Teow with vinegar in full view of the blue open sky.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Whenever suits an individual as long as they keep making sense and don’t fall over.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea. There was a time when a vodka tonic would have taken precedence.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Weekend parties, with large dining tables in huge kitchens. The ones I had in Byde Mill House in Wiltshire took some beating. Not because of me but because of the space that they were in and the people who came. Good plentiful food is as crucial as the wines.
Who is the most positive person you know?
There are three women I’d say are the most positive people I know. They are Carla Marx-Welter, Caterine Axelsson and Irina Kouptcha.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Dairy-free chocolate ice cream from Snowflake on Westbourne Grove made by ice cream chef Paolo.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
Heaven forbid. Can’t stand the bloody things.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Delfino. Not that I have ambitions of being a car. I have ambitions of returning to that project and making it a success.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I have no clue. I think I’m an open book. You’d have to ask someone who had just met me and then ask them again a month or two later.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have one.
Allard Marx is a London based strategist and businessman. He is the author of The Business Brand Book (My Orange Bag) and companies in which he has founded and been involved in include:
– Delfino: http://www.delfino.co.uk
– Aethic: http://www.aethic.com
– Go Blue Too: http://www.gobluetoo.com
Follow him on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/AllardMarx
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A man of charm, wit, of high resolve, who has adopted a cause few of us knew anything about and is taking it centre-stage … not because the world demands it, but because he passionately believes it is the right thing to do … now! I admire such a man.