A non-profit CEO; retired military officer; author; speaker; strategist;
Thoughts and experiences on style for the middle aged man
June 15th, 2020
In which I travel on public transport for the first time in 90 days to spend a day in London, unfortunately find it a depressing and dreary experience dominated by excessive signs, posters, stickers, one way systems and high visibility clothing, and reflect on how our ancestors would view our inability to tolerate or manage personal risk.
Continue reading “Martini Diaries – Episode 16”March 25 – June 15 2020.
Welcome back to the Martini Diaries – as we enter the 12th week of lock-down in the UK I am beginning my plans to return to my office in London later this month. I felt it was time for a short period of reflection before we begin to share together the continuation of my life and travels as a CEO of a global non-profit organisation.
What have I learnt about leadership over these 11 weeks of being confined to barracks away from my team?
Continue reading “The Martini Diaries – Episode 15”14 – 22 February 2020
The Martini Diaries returns in 2020, with my return to skiing after a 13 year absence, and a visit to Georgia. I am bewildered by the sheer volume of luggage people try and take as ‘carry-on’, experience the new Istanbul airport, enjoy red wine for breakfast (a first), ski in Georgia, plan a conference, and now cannot wait until next February to ski again!
Continue reading “The Martini Diaries – Episode 14”31 October – 4 November 2019. First visit to Pakistan
Thursday 31 October 2019
A very painful night’s sleep. My fingers are badly swollen, and forming a grip is a painful and slow process. I kept waking up due to the pain of moving my hand. Molly the dog didn’t help by wanting to go outside for a pee at 6 am! I finished packing and my driver collected me at 11 am for the trip to Heathrow. I couldn’t lift any suitcase or bag with my right hand, so this could be problematic on a trip where I have three bags/suitcases!
18 September – 31st October 2019
In which my Father dies and I take a break from writing my diary, attend the launch of Shaun Gordon’s AW19 collection, endure the agony of obtaining a Visa to visit Pakistan, survive a nasty fall whilst packing and prepare to visit Pakistan for the first time.
In which I return to work after my summer holiday, travel immediately to Rwanda, discover Rwanda is the safest country in Africa, visit the Genocide Museum, fly with Qatar Airways for the first time, bemoan the lack of respect in our society, discover I am now a male model for Italian clothing, enjoy the annual luncheon at my Club (and work out how to solve Brexit), have to wake up too early in the morning without my morning Royal Blend Tea (and miss my train as a result), and make a plea for a return to understatement in our language.Continue reading “The Martini Diaries – Episode 8”
In which I move to temporary office space, attempt vlogging, visit the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, win at roulette using my system at the Royal Air Force Club Summer Ball, am invited to an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, endure the UK heatwave, find myself humming ‘Jerusalem’ whilst reflecting on Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister, start Queer Eye season 4, and question why Americans use the word ‘like’ every third word.Continue reading “The Martini Diaries – Episode 7”
In which a two day committee meeting makes a big decision, I visit The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition and touch Moon rock, attend the Henley Royal Regatta, catch up with a ex-staff Member for luncheon, travel to Sheffield and find the worst hotel in England, discover my dog has excellent bladder control, and try to explain cricket to a Canadian.
In a slightly extended episode I welcome the croquet season, despair at my increasing weight having returned to the gym, fail to follow or understand a briefing on what constitutes ‘fake news’, travel to Kenya for the first time, experience British Airways First Class, deliver some lectures on leadership in Kenya, experience my first safari, and enjoy the best sleep ever on an aircraft.
This week my theme is service and duty, I talk about the challenges of volunteering, apps to help with packing for travel, my attending a D Day Service, taking part in a charity golf tournament, and my experience of watching a TV programme called Love Island.Continue reading “The Martini Diaries – Episode 3”
Mark Hollingsworth 