It all turned quite serious by the Heineken years as the daft wee boy from Pasiley convinced senior management that he knew what he was doing.

Held senior roles across the business setting strtagey and leading people.

For me leadership and writing are similar, after all its all about story telling.

In 1978 I was part of the first cohort of starters at Mearns Castle Hight School. I learned many things, how to play football, jump burns, buy fags from the ice cream van, and when to run away from the Busby Cumbie.

Went to Glasgow Caledonian University, achieved an Honours Degree in Business Studies, and a great grasp of Glasgow snooker halls.

Decided to sell beer for a living. firstly with Whitbread and then Scottish & Newcastle. Not sure they should have allowed me in pubs given how young I looked.

Met some amazing characters along the way, full of talent and vision. Quite a few bampots, and rogues too. Think I have many books worth of characters.