Nick Horswell

Non-Executive Chairman

I spent 15 years working in a number of full-service ad agencies before leaving in 1990 to set up a media agency with friends David Pattison and Jonathan Durden, with financial backing and support from another very trusting friend, John Ayling.

By 1995 the agency, PHD, had grown to about £90million turnover and 40 people so we decided the time was right to sell, which we duly did to AMV group. By the end of 2000 PHD had become a group of eight companies, employing 240 people, turning over nearly £400million a year and making very healthy profits.

In 2002, I decided that I needed a new business challenge, so I put corporate life behind me and became Uncle Nick.

I Like:
The media industry and the clever people that work within it. Reassuringly expensive wine from the old world. Lunch, never call me btween 1-3pm unless I am helping you sell something and the money is about to hit my bank account, in which case I may read a text between courses. All my Nephews and Nieces, watching England at Twickenham, but only in hospitality, Soho House, one day Gavin I’ll get you that membership I promised all those years ago. Fino, Moro and other fine restaurants in London. My wonderful family who keep me honest.

I dislike:

Banks that promise to be, “more than a bank”, long legal jargon, people who don’t provide a straight answer to straight question, dishonesty, unimaginative advisors and clients, contracts (trust me I’m an Uncle). Cheap wine except on holiday in the south of France, poor quality cured meat, small portions, a day with lunch, why would you?