Ben Elliot

“In the same way I am addicted to puddings - the sweeter the better - I have become addicted to the daily routines my Pilates and Gyrotonic guru, Nada, puts me through.”

“I don't set out to be connected. My business has allowed me to meet lots of interesting people, some of whom have become friends; but you can't force it. This terrible word - 'networking' - I really hate.”

“Now if I don't take exercise I feel a bit frazzled.”

“It's not marriage that I crave. Many of my friends who have married are pretty miserable. Within a year and a half, most of them are either unhappy or divorced.”

“Art is the ultimate luxury good, but one that can make you think, give a you a blast of beauty and enhance your life. Even if the work's made of plasticine.”

“I definitely like sorting stuff out, and I have the enthusiasm to try and help.”

“When I lived in New York, I discovered these Russian & Turkish Baths in East 10th Street. Great for a platza treatment - plus, you'll run into the world and his wife there.”

“There are a lot of laws from Europe about employing people which are absolute nonsense.”

“For me, life is not about gold taps and marble all over the place.”

“A lot of my work is about developing relationships with corporate partners such as Jaguar and Diageo.”

“Since I travel to the four corners of this planet for work, I don't need sun holidays or that kind of thing.”

“When you think about the word 'quintessentially', it's about trying to get to the very essence of something.”

“I studied politics and economics at Bristol, and people always assumed that I'd go into politics or a non-government organisation when I left. I might well do this later on. I'd love to represent a West Country seat in the House of Commons.”

“I've always been fascinated by India and its color and vibrancy. I worked in Madhya Pradesh in the Kanha National Game reserve before university, and it is probably the most intoxicating country I have ever visited.”

“'Concierge' comes from the Latin for 'slave.'”

“In summer, my Sundays are often taken up with cricket. I play with a bunch of other over-competitive and overenthusiastic guys who I have known for a very long time.”

“With offices in 64 cities around the world, it is sometimes a challenge to ensure that I've got my finger on the pulse with every one, everywhere. Staying in touch means early rising for calls with China and Japan, and late calls with the U.S.”

“My father instilled in me an attitude that you couldn't really enjoy yourself unless you had done something to deserve it. So, my childhood was spent working on farms or local shops or, when I got older, in banks.”

“I'm a creature of habit and tend to favour small, traditional English businesses.”

“When the truth does not get printed, damage is done.”