The Gentleman‘s Journal Podcast

Never be boring – Henry Wyndham

For many years, Henry Wyndham was the senior auctioneer and chairman at Sotheby’s, the world renowned auction house. Known for his towering height and garrulous style, the auctioneer presided over some of the most significant bidding wars in art history. His £65 million sale of Giacometti's "Walking Man" sculpture in 2010 was at the time the most expensive piece of art ever sold at auction. 

Today, Henry talks to us about his failed first career as a door to door salesman, how auctioneering is all in the eyebrows, and how a shooting accident might just have changed his life for the better.

How to win friends and influence people – Tim Jefferies

Tim Jefferies is the owner of Hamiltons, Britain’s foremost photographic gallery. Today, the entrepreneur and retired playboy tells us why the smart money invests in photography, how fame can both help and hinder a business, and how camera phones have ruined any chance of us ever having fun.

Our thanks to Mark's Club, Mayfair, for playing hosts.

Know thy weakness – Pierre Lagrange

As a founding member of GLG Partners, Pierre LaGrange was for many years the posterchild of London's hedgefund scene. But then he decided to change tack dramatically, becoming CEO of Savile Row tailors Huntsman as the recession took hold. Today, Pierre tells us how a chance encounter in Ibiza changed the course of his life, how love at first sight in business is never a good thing, and why the American Ralph Lauren is the world’s best British brand.

Our thanks to Mark's Club, Mayfair, for playing hosts.

How to work your way up the foodchain – Robin Hutson, Kurt Zdesar, and Rupert Clevely

Today's episode is all about working your way up the foodchain -- almost literally, in fact. In a special edition of the show, we speak to three men who have started at the bottom of the hospitality industry and worked their way to the very top: Robin Hutson, the father of the 'boutique hotel'; Kurt Zdesar, who brought Nobu to London; and Rupert Clevely, founder of Geronimo Inns.

Our thanks to Mark's Club, Mayfair, for playing hosts.

Fear is your friend – Clive Jackson

Clive Jackson is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of VICTOR, an on-demand private jet service for high net worth individuals. Today, he talks about celebrity investors, the habits that make great entrepreneurs, and how a goldfish put him in the Guinness Book of Records.

Our thanks to Mark's Club, Mayfair.

How to create delight – Theo Fennell

Master jeweller and businessman Theo Fennell tells us why we should read more and want less, how it’s okay not to have any idea what you want to do with your life, and why you should never trust an ugly man with a blonde girlfriend. 

Our thanks to Mark's Club, Mayfair, for their hospitality.