Stuart Graber: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times asks Stuart Graber, chairman of The Alternative Board London and former managing director of Time Warner International: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

Superior mind, superior attitude.

 “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

A quote from Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will jot; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

Piers Morgan.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Good friends who have gone over to the other side.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Continued good health.

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?

History has taught us time and time again that when there is money to be made certain individuals will do “anything” they possibly can to benefit and that includes breaking the established rules and regulations.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“What will be, will be.”

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

My family and I believe that children and animals are most deserving of our charitable giving.

The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

These highly lethal modern technological marvels form a new arsenal of weaponry. I would imagine that the use of these devices requires a good deal of professional training and skill. If they are “used appropriately” by the military and law enforcement then they should be utilised to save lives.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

A mixture of family, friends and acquaintances whose company I enjoy.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A Chinese ten-course dinner with the leader or person who could commute my death sentence. It would preferably be consumed on a private jet that can take off when I tell it to.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

It depends on which country and what age you happen to be however if pressed I would say about 2-3 hours before you eat dinner.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

LA based entertainment industry parties. They are much more experienced and better equipped to create the most amazing environments for a party.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My wife, Susan.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Smoking Cuban cigars.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A British bulldog, not because they are tough or mean looking but because they are the embodiment of loyalty and love.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Grabercar. For those who don’t know, they are lightweight sports cars.

Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I am an expert marksman and knife thrower.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Statues of my bulldogs, The Manoush and Cupcake.

A graduate of Harvard Business School, Stuart Graber is the chairman of the Alternative Board London. He lives in North London and was previously managing director of both Time Warner International and Music Choice Europe. He was also involved in developing, licensing and distributing culturally and linguistically adapted versions of Sesame Street and obtained the first commercial network radio license in the United Kingdom for Classic-FM.