The Steeple Times asks private investor and chairman of the Saltydog Investor Douglas Chadwick: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
The thoughts of Jesse Livermore. He was the first acknowledged momentum trader in the United States. He was worth over a billion dollars by the time he was thirty, lost it and made it again. It was tragic that he committed suicide.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Get rich slowly” – It’s not important to get rich quick, it’s easier to get rich slowly.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Who is Kerry Katona? The BBC is unacceptable to me. I have a deep loathing for them.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I don’t miss much. I am fairly relaxed in my life.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A cure for cancer.
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?
A gross case of fraud that has been inflicted on the population of the country.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Everything’s fantastic” – I hate it.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I think charity should start at home and I support the RNLI, Cancer Research and Children in Need.
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 be seen and not heard. One man on the train I travelled on today had a cockerel ringtone. It was most irritating.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Margaret Thatcher, Jesse Livermore, Benjamin Franklin and Professor Richard Fineman.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Steak and kidney pudding, roast potatoes, broad beans and parsley sauce as that is what I cook at Christmas. I would eat it on the poop deck of my boat looking at the sunset.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
When you’re thirsty.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
I’ve never heard of a Negroni. I’d rather have a beer.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I’m not a party man. Family parties are my favourite things. Cocktail parties are loathesome as they just feature people making polite conversation with one another.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Our technical director, David McCrea. He’s always positive but not always right.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Not working.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
An anchor. I should have a tattoo as I was at sea from 14 to 22 but I don’t.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d rather be a boat. A Fleming 55 trawler yacht. I had one for 17 years. If I were a car though, I’d be a Jaguar as I am a great believer in Great Britain. I buy British when I can.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I don’t like owning assets. I still live in the house I bought 40 years ago. Most people who are comfortably wealthy acquire assets but I say, the less you have, the better.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I don’t have one but my old sextant would be on it if I had one. It’s in my office. I also have a lot of scientific instruments and apothecary related items.
Douglas Chadwick left school at 14 and spent 8 years in the Merchant Navy. He has run two highly successful furniture companies and is the chairman of the Saltydog Investor.
View the official website for Saltydog Investor at: http://www.saltydoginvestor.com
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Sorry Matthew but is Douglas very rich? I must say that though I work in the City I have not come across him.
What are his furniture companies?
I took a look around the Saltydog website. What a great idea. I may well start following their strategy. Douglas talks a lot of sense.
Great interview responses. I’d never heard of Douglas Chadwick before but now I’ll pay attention. I love the name of his company. Very appropriate given his enthusiasm for boating.
Douglas Chadwick of Bexhill on Sea? Face looks familiar.