MAN-10265 MAGAZINE.indd - Mansfield College - University of Oxford

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“Life in the fast lane” John Moulton Physics 1965-68 Member of Mansfi eld 500 On returning to Mansfi eld recently for Eights week and the Boat Club Dinner, I was reminded of how long it took me to discover that industry and commerce are not dirty words, and that they can actually be quite fun and very rewarding in more ways than one. My slow start in reaching this conclusion was not helped by coming from an academic family which knew and understood virtually nothing outside academia. Having spent most of my student days either rowing, punting, playing the organ, playing hockey or organizing balls and parties, I graduated with little interest in pursuing a career in Physics. A discussion with a friend of my sister persuaded me that qualifying as a chartered accountant would give me a much better basis for a career and would open doors in a variety of fi elds. So having sworn after fi nals that I would never take another exam in my life, I found to my surprise that I was signing up for another three years of hard grind. As I had fallen in love with Oxford by then, I stayed on for my articles with a fi rm on the corner of St Giles and Keble Road. For some unknown reason, having never really worked hard before, I took to it like a duck to water and sailed through the course with fl ying colours. On qualifying I decided to join a big international fi rm which meant moving to a big city, and I chose Bristol as being quite a nice place, joining what is now KPMG, as I had worked with them on a joint audit during my articles and liked what I saw. I rapidly began specializing in corporate fi nance, which involves things like acting for the sale and purchase of companies and fl otations on the Stock Exchange. That was a good time, but I did not like the bureaucracy of the profession and didn’t want to stay there. So when my boss told me he was leaving to form a new small merchant bank and asked if I wanted to join him, I leapt at the chance. Within a short space of time we had set up two venture capital companies, putting risk money into emerging businesses. When they then ran out of money and needed more, I began for the fi rst time to understand what makes businesses tick. I began to acquire a number of non-executive directorships in diverse businesses including aluminium investment casting, fl exible hose manufacture and motor dealerships (of which more later). Through a connection with the organisation which funded our bank, I suddenly got asked to step in as acting fi nance director of a fascinating company called Dartington Glass, which employed over 200 people in the manufacture of hand-blown lead crystal glassware. So, quite by chance, having thought all my life to date that industry was not the place to be, I found myself right in the middle of it and loved every minute: I made the discovery that it is far more interesting to be involved in running a business rather than just acting as a professional adviser on the outside. 23 The untimely death of my sister at the age of 41 shocked me into realizing that we’re only here once, and if I wanted a change I’d better get on with it. So when two people we had done work for asked me if I knew anyone who might be interested in being fi nance director of their racy small public company, I put myself forward for the job. My timing was abysmal – I joined 6 weeks before the Stock Exchange crash of 1987. Everything went pear-shaped including our share price crashing, one of our factories burning down and the MD dropping dead from a heart attack. At fi ve minutes’ notice we had to agree an effective takeover by a chap who, it quickly transpired, operated in a manner which I did not feel was appropriate for a public company. So I had to rapidly negotiate my exit, and joined another much more solid public company as fi nance director, staying there eight years until, following another takeover approach, we sold the major part of the business to the largest company in the world in that fi eld. Over the years I have worked in Italy, France, the USA, Eire and all over the UK, and been a director of companies in businesses such as road building, computers, restaurants, electrical wholesaling, lighting manufacture et al. But the fi nancial dynamics of all businesses are essentially the same with minor variations, and so the role of fi nance director is much the same, regardless of the business. Some people say that you make your own luck. Maybe that’s true. I certainly feel lucky to have ended up where I am now as fi nance director of Dick Lovett, one of the most prestigious privately owned motor groups in the UK. We only deal in premium marques, namely BMW, MINI, Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati and Lotus. We operate along the M4 corridor from Hungerford in the East through Swindon and Bristol to Cardiff in the West. We employ around 500 people and have a turnover well in excess of £250 million. My connection with the business goes back right to its beginnings in 1962. The company has a wonderful ethos created by the owner who is one of the most honourable people I have met in business. We are totally focused on looking after the staff and the customers and I can honestly say I look forward to going to work every day. With a board of just three comprising the chairman (the owner), the managing director and myself we have no bureaucracy and take decisions quickly, though not always easily, and without the tedium of being a public ➥
company, trawling through the City talking to investment analysts and journalists. In my increasing spare time I continue to enjoy my lifelong passion for mountaineering, which started when I was a schoolboy in Lancashire living near the mountains of the Lake District and North Wales, although nowadays I tend to go abroad more where the mountains are bigger and the weather warmer. In the winter, I return to the mountains for skiing. At home I enjoy living in the lovely Mendip hills with my wife and our menagerie of animals including dogs, horses, chickens and guinea fowl. So what is the moral of the tale? Firstly that I owe Mansfi eld a great debt in helping to turn an immature schoolboy into a slightly less immature adult and in teaching me a lot about morals and decency. Secondly that you should keep an open mind to things you may start off by knowing nothing about, and lastly not to be afraid of trying new things. I am now looking forward hopefully to giving a bit of time back to Mansfi eld which has given me such a foundation in life. ● Tying the Knot at Mansfi eld Paul Jackson Geography 1992-95 Member of Mansfi eld 500 John Moulton August 18th – not a date I will ever forget! Apart from the fact that my now wife, Carter, would never let me live this down if I did, whenever I go back to Mansfi eld, I will always remember this day with excitement. Mansfi eld was the perfect venue to tie the knot. It brought back wonderful memories on my part and completely fi tted the bill for my American wife, in that all her friends and relatives could get a touch of the heritage and tradition that is the Oxford University experience. A chance to check out a ‘real’ academic institution... Full credit to Lynn Partridge (Food and Beverage Manager) and Lynne Quiggin (Conference and Events Manager). They had inspiring ideas and ironed out all pre-marital organizational concerns. This included fi nding the best marquee for the Quad, delivering the perfect sticky toffee pudding for dessert, and (not the least of which) helping us stay on budget. Walter Houston was also critical to making the day a success – he generously allowed us to use the chapel and navigated the bureaucratic waters of getting married with relaxed authority. We were very lucky that many Mansfi eld alumni were able to return to Mansfi eld and I know that Dr. Tony Lemon ➥ was extremely happy to have more than half his Geography class of 1995 back in residence. Well, when I say ‘happy’ I think more from a conversational point of view rather than an academic one! The illustrious Mansfi eld alumni roll-call included: Brenda McKenna, Jess Tomlinson, James West, Paul Sutton, Stuart Ferguson, Ellen Loughnan, Sarah McKeown, Tim Millson, Andrew and Sian Croxson, Jon Davies, Shazia Mirza, Will and Caroline Elderkin and Anne and Mark Evans. Great to see them all standing in the Chapel singing their hearts out and great to see them in the college bar much later that night, still standing – how times have changed!! During the reception, the marquee saved us from a torrential downpour. The band was on great form, and everyone packed in to dance the night away. It was a little disconcerting that, apart from my own smooth moves, most people’s dance styles hadn’t improved since the heady days of the Mansfi eld bops over ten years ago. Great fun, wonderful memories and a superb time was had by all. Now we’re expecting our fi rst child! Thank you Mansfi eld. ● Paul Jackson Since writing this article, Paul and Carter have had a baby girl, Imogen. ALUMNI NEWS 24
Page 1 and 2: Mansfield The Mansfi eld College Ma
Page 3 and 4: Student Academic Successes 2007-200
Page 5 and 6: Access at Mansfi eld: Oxford Furthe
Page 7 and 8: SCR Newcomers Dr Carl Anderson Juni
Page 9 and 10: Women at Mansfi eld Tutor For Women
Page 11 and 12: An Interview with Dr Mary King Fell
Page 13 and 14: instance, is ‘the morning star of
Page 15 and 16: Donald MacDonald English 1984-88, P
Page 17 and 18: From the Archives: the Changing Lan
Page 19 and 20: We aim to do much more than stand s
Page 21 and 22: countries: examining one’s own cu
Page 23: A Year in the “Chain Gang” Bob
Page 27 and 28: Dana Dunne PPE 1983-84 (VSP) Patron
Page 29 and 30: Alumni News Dhruti Shah English 200
Page 31 and 32: issues.” Dorothy was still busy i
Page 33 and 34: Eighth Annual Hands Lecture “AFTE
Page 35 and 36: Roy Cooper Alexander Dacre Amy Icke

MAN-10265 MAGAZINE.indd - Mansfield College - University of Oxford

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