20 questions with financier Amir Zada
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Health, hard work, love and laughter.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Revenge is a waste of time, as is gloating”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Reality television. What happened to an original drama series?
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I’m lucky enough to live in New York City but there are times I miss life back home in London.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
All of Superman’s powers.
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 was a much needed wake up call for everyone involved to realise there really is no such thing as a free lunch. Unfortunately it’s far from over.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“I can’t” or “I hate”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
If you’re lucky enough to have then feel enough to give. Feeding the hungry and helping those displaced by conflict and war are causes I believe in.
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?
I travel a lot for work therefore I’m constantly on my phone. Sad, but true.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Ian Fleming, Peter Sellers, Dean Martin, Steve Mcqueen, every actor to have played Bond. I’d say my fiancée too… but with those guys around that could only lead to trouble.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be yourlast meal and where would you eat it?
Rubirosa vodka sauce pizza and JG Melon cheeseburger. Probably in jail.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Lunchtime. Whenever that may be.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini. Dirty. Always.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Why, yours of course.
Who is the most positive person you know?
I’m lucky to have two in my life. My business partner, dear friend and mentor Peter Bartlett as well as a man I’d call brother, Vahid Farzad.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A solid drink at the end of the work day.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I’m not a fan of tattoos.
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 went on Blind Date with Cilla Black many, many moons ago.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Living in a Soho loft offers ample space and a few other luxuries but a mantelpiece isn’t one of them.
Amir Zada is the New York based managing director of fixed income sales for Exotix. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and previously worked for N. M. Rothschild & Sons and J. P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Follow him on Twitter @Zada7
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here:
This interview was picked up by The Telegraph’s City Diary on 20th September 2013: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/citydiary/10321737/City-Diary-Scottish-standards-body-still-has-Fred-Goodwin-on-its-accountancy-books.html