62_TTGB BEHIND THE SUITv2 4/11/08 16:05 Page 62
62 behind the suit
behindthesuit
Ever wanted to know more about that business contact you’ve dealt with
for years? We get up close and personal to find out about industry players
DESTINY IN OZ HOPE AND GLORY
a35
SPORTSMAN BLESSED BY TRAVEL Q Can you describe a Q If you could make a
Q What did you think you would be when you pivotal time in your life? change to this country,
were growing up? A The decision, which I what would it be?
A When I realised making a living as a professional sports- agonised over for months, A I would change the
man (soccer, cricket, golf) wasn’t going to happen, I got my to give up my first career collective mindset from
head down, completed my education and mixed working for with the Swire Group and negative to positive (must
a living with a passion for travel. I’ve never looked back.
Martin Cowley
Cathay Pacific after 20 years be something to do with the
Since then I’ve lived in 10 countries and had more incredible
is senior vice-
and make the move to weather!) and encourage
experiences than I can count. I've truly been blessed! Australia in 2000. That led everyone to enjoy the
president EMEA
ultimately to my appoint- amazing things this country
LESSONS IN LIFE BEATLES‘N’BURGUNDY of Sabre Travel ment with Sabre Pacific as offers. Travelling around the
Q What inspires you? Q What’s your desert
Network. Martin has
chief executive and then world has given me a new
A My children Alexandra, island must have?
more than 25 years’
to my current position at appreciation for my home
Jonathan and Margaux, and A My music, more than Sabre, based in London. country. Everyday I marvel
their energy and ability to 12,000 tunes on my iPod
experience in the
at its history, culture,
make the most of every – everything from the
travel industry.
wonderful countryside and
situation. And my wife Beatles to what my kids call
He spent 20 years
its location, which offers
Jane, patient and always “21st-century music” – and access to all those European
supportive. a good bottle of burgundy.
with the Swire
countries within a couple of
I also get inspiration from Make that two good bottles Group, holding a hours. We should take more
business leaders who lead of burgundy!
variety of roles in
time to smell the roses!
by example, who commun-
nine countries,
Applying the same
icate relentlessly. I’d love to TOUGH LOVE mentality to the travel
meet Surinder Arora of Arora Q Who or what is the
predominantly with
industry, I’d like to
Hotels – he has an amazing love of your life? Cathay Pacific. A see us all spend
story of perseverance in A My wife Jane and our
graduate in modern
more time
the face of apparently children – tough question!
insurmountable odds.
languages from
thinking and
talking about
TAXI DRIVER
Oxford University,
what unites us,
MAGNIFICENT MENTORS Q What do you do to stop
Martin is fluent in
rather than what
Q Who’s had the most thinking about work
English, French
pulls us apart,
influence in your life? outside the office? especially in
A Privately, my parents and A Luckily I don’t have to do
and German
today’s
their commitment to my much. I leave work at the economic
education and development. office – home is for family climate.
My father balanced the and friends, and that’s
demands of a busy career enough to inspire me to FAMILY FIRST
with the needs of his family stop thinking about work. Q What is your
and is a role model for me in That and being unofficial ultimate goal
that regard. My wife Jane taxi driver for three active in life?
has guided our decisions children leaves little time to A To ensure the
gently but firmly and always dwell on work outside office health and happiness
-BURDEN
supportively. Professionally, hours. I must confess the of my family. And for
a number of mentors dreaded BlackBerry follows me, to achieve balance NEWKEY
include Rod Eddington, me, but I’ve become in work and play, a real
T
AN
former Cathay Pacific and reasonably disciplined stretch for all of us but an
: TRIS
BA chief executive. about switching it off. objective worth pursuing!
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OGRAPHY
PHO
ttgbusiness.com a79 november 2008
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