Home: Saudi Arabia. Birthplace: Sydney, Australia. Profession: Senior leader in the media industry. Pronouns: He, Him, His. Alma mater: York University, UK.
Current project: Restoring a 1969 Alfa Romeo; mentoring and working with young leaders in the media industry. Recent recognition: Inspiring young film makers and producers to keep going and not give up regardless of the challenges or rejections. Recent professional development: Advanced governance training for non-executive board directors. Latest accomplishment: Member of the 2024 Venice Biennale Final Cut Jury. Also, helped facilitate the training for over 750 young media professionals in screen and gaming from the MENA region, helping them start their career journey in the media industry. Latest contribution to others: Working and mentoring young people in the media industries, especially from the Middle East. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Successfully moving to Saudi to become part of the world’s most ambitious project. Hobbies: Photography, classics cars, gardening, music (playing and listening), collecting. Recent travel or adventure: Recently spent time in Puglia, Italy. Amazing and relatively unspoiled. Last book read: The Diary of a CEO, by Steven Bartlett. Recently viewed and recommended: Industry (HBO series). Recent unique acquisition: Original Terry O’Neil Michael Caine photographic print; original vinyl soundtrack David Lynch’s Mullholland Drive.
Personality profile: Engaging, warm, sincere and always with integrity. As it happens, I straddle between ENTJ and INTJ. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Determined. Moral compass: Living by the values instilled in me by my parents. Fairness, respect, caring, integrity. Making a positive difference. How do you define a perfect friendship? Trusting, safe, inspiring, with good dose of humor. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Collaborative, trusting, energizing, aligned. What is your greatest joy? Spending time with family and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. What is your greatest fear? Losing one’s health or that of a family member. What is your guilty pleasure? Ice cream. What word or phrase do you use far too often? I think we should try that. What natural talent have you neglected? My musicality (drumming); interior design. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Architects (e.g., Frank Lloyd Wright) and photographers (e.g., Terry O’Neil). What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Italy, collecting glass and music, vintage posters and photographs, gardening. What is at the top of your bucket list? Exploring South America. How do you relieve stress? Listening to music, being in the sea and boogie boarding. What is your go-to workout? Long early morning walks. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Great travel companions to share those wonderful moments and new discoveries.
What was your first paying job? Delivering prescriptions for a local pharmacy. What was your favorite college course? Change Management. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? My James Bond DB 4 with all the gadgets. What book have you repeatedly read? You Can Heal Your Life, by Louise Hay. What movies have you repeatedly watched? Heat, Glengarry Glen Ross. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Lawrence of Arabia, 1962 Quad French film poster. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My children. They make me a better person. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Work hard and don't take yourself too seriously. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be tough, be fair, take everyone with you. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? iPad. What is your favorite app? Shazam. What is your go-to source of news and information? ABC (Australia) and BBC, The Financial Times. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Travel and the cultures you discover and experience. What company or organization do you most admire? Doctors without Borders, Apple. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? WWII. Both of my parents emigrated to Australia from Europe as young children after the war.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Patience and carving out more thinking and inspiration time.
What change would you like to see in the world? Greater tolerance, respect, peace and care of our precious natural environment. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be kind, be tolerant and be respectful of alternative views, always with integrity. What widely held belief do you reject? Two: that I am right and you are wrong; that climate change is not real. What mega-trend most excites you? The ubiquity of technology that allows creators be inspired and to find and connect with their audiences and stimulate diversity, inclusion and alternative voices. What mega-trend most concerns you? The increasing power of algorithms to narrow cast, polarize and eliminate different perspectives and voices.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? How Did I Get Here: A Surreal Journey in a Crazy World. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Will Farrell or Robert De Niro. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? God. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An architect or a photographer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? The dog, old family photographs, vintage posters and vinyl collection. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Swimming in the clear tropical ocean waters with my close family on a hot summer's day. Laughing and floating. What advice would you give your younger self? Relax, enjoy the ride, live in the moment. Everything will be okay. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The birth of my children. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties. I would slow down and live in the moment instead of the future.
Personal mission: Creating the conditions and helping others to have the same opportunities I was lucky to have. Personal motto: Make a difference in everything you do. Favorite quote: “A-B-C. Always be closing” (Glengarry Glen Ross). Desired epitaph: It was fun, inspiring and exhilarating. Thank you all for the love.
