Journal

A panorama shot with my iPhone, showing, from left to right, Louise, Jacqueline, Richard, Clover, Rich and Yinka. Around the time we did our latest Breakthrough Salon, this time on cities.

Drove across to Colchester and environs for a wonderful reunion of cousins hosted by the Cresswells, Andrew and Carrie. Fascinating family tree(s) on display, in one of which it appears I was born in Düsseldorf. I think that was my sister-in-law Christina, so we quickly corrected this draft of family history.

Flew to Milan on Thursday with Louise to speak at a Family Business Network event, hosted by Zambon. Great fun – and the session I did with Jonny Wates seemed to go down very well.

Various people, including Caroline Snow, recalled a 2011 event I did in Singapore, which was the kick-off point for their Polaris program. Built around the Triple Bottom Line, so there was a degree of shock in the room when I said we were considering a TBL ‘product recall’ to get ready for the 25th anniversary in 2019, to prepare the concept for the next 25 years.

A magic moment on the BA flight back the London City airport. The coffee was disgusting, so I didn’t drink it. Should have. The stewardess promptly knocked it into my lap, instant incontinence. Massive apologies and a dry-cleaning slip, but I could have done without that – having got up around 04.30 to get the the flight.

Across to Paris on the Eurostar with Louise, to have lunch with L’Oréal and discuss the Triple Bottom Line. And back.

Just back from first trip to Shanghai. Stayed at the Grand Keminski Hotel. Speaking at the Tongji Sustainability Forum, where I was alongside Carbon Productivity champions Richard Northcote of Covestro and Perry Yang of Tongji and Georgia Tech. Have written a GreenBiz piece inspired by the trip, which I will post here when it appears.