BUSINESS LESSONS

Is it still the right time to buy property in Ireland? Well I don’t think it is the right time to sell. I think there is more growth in the market but obviously prices have now caught up and you have to be a little more choiceful about what you do. I would still invest in Ireland but I don’t have any plans because I am deep in here [CHQ] at the moment.

What advice would you give to a young person with ambitions to achieve big in business? I do not agree with career planning. That is all about looking to get up there [he points to the sky] when really the way you are going to move ahead is to do the job you have to the best of your ability. Then good things happen.

Can you remember a defining moment in your career? The head of Coke in Africa approached me at a party. ‘I just want you to know that you are doing a great job, keep it up.’ I thought that was wonderful but I didn’t realise what it really meant. It was a message. I’ve done that with others over my career.