Q&A Abridged

Q: What do you have for breakfast?
A: I have a fruit salad and muesli. When I spoil myself I have kippers.

Q: Which single word gets you out of bed in the morning?
A: “No,” in my wife’s Glaswegian accent.

Q: Favorite television program?
A: I love anything to do with nature, things like “Planet Earth.”

Q: Which is your favorite band?
A: It has to be the Sex Pistols. They made a big difference for Virgin.

Q: Any place left that you’d like to visit?
A: South America. Brazil and Argentina sound wonderful.

Q: Three most adventurous things you have done so far?
A: Boating, ballooning and kite surfing. Space adventures to come!

Q: If you could meet a legend dead or alive, who would it be?
A: Sir Francis Drake. I’d love to have been an explorer of that caliber.

Q: Who is your mentor?
A: My parents. They’ve been a tremendously positive influence.

Q: What is the greatest piece of wisdom you’ve ever heard?
A: To look for the best in people.

Q: What have you studied?
A: Most of my learning has been since I left school. It’s been an education of life. I love to read a lot. I’ve been involved in many different things, so have learnt a lot that way.

Q: If you were given $60 to start a business, how would you do it?
A: If I was still well known, I’d sign the dollars and sell each of them for $20. I would then sign the $20 and sell them for $40, etc.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to change about yourself?
A: It’d have to be my age. To go backwards instead of forwards.

Q: What do you love and hate?
A: I love the closeness of our family. And I hate not being able to spend every day with them.

Q: What makes you cry?
A: I cry at happy and sad things. My children always bring a box of Kleenex to the cinema!

Q: The key to success in three words please?
A: People. People. People.

Q: What motivates you to carry on?
A: I love learning. I love people. I love making a difference. I don’t think I’ll stop until I drop.

Q: What drives you crazy?
A: Negativity. People who look for the worst in people. People always gossiping about other people.

Q: Are you stressed?
A: No. I try hard to overcome challenges and if I fail, I pick myself up quickly.

Q: Why are you always smiling?
A: I have got a lot to smile about!

Q: What brings you happiness?
A: Achieving things that one can be proud of. And good feedback from people as a result.

Q: Has there been an event that changed your life?
A: Meeting Nelson Mandela, just an incredible individual. I’m very privileged to know him well now.

Q: What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?
A: Ruby Wax and I were in Mallorca and a couple asked to take a photo. Ruby and I put our arms round each other, smiled, and the couple said, “No, we want you to take a picture of us.”

Q: What’s your most prized personal, material possession?
A: Necker Island. I managed to find it when I was 26.

Q: If you could be a super hero, who would it be?
A: Bond … James Bond.

Q: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
A: Robert Pattinson from “Twilight.” He’s English … and he’s young!

Q: Ever thought about running for political office?
A: I don’t think you can mix business and politics so I’d have to give up Virgin and I enjoy it too much. I can campaign a lot of political issues without actually becoming a politician.

Q: Anything left for you to achieve?
A: One of the most exciting things we’re involved in is the Elders. Trying to ensure that conflicts are a thing of the past. It’d be wonderful if the Elders could do some fantastic things.

Q: Is there anything you’d have done differently?
A: No. I’ve had an absolute blast.