He is married with two grown-up children, and describes his “minor hobby” as getting straight stripes on the lawn, while his “major hobby” is print and paper.
Why did you get into printing?
It’s always been a family trade. My family set up the long-running Petty & Sons. I am the son, grandson and great grandson of printers going back to 1865
What would you most like to print?
The Ikea catalogue, just because it’s the world’s largest catalogue and they distribute 247 million copies
What is your favourite film?
Alien Resurrection. I love sci-fi and I like how the film is an innovative mix of sci-fi and horror
What is your favourite TV show?
University Challenge. I love quizzes
Who or what do you hate the most?
Cold calls about telecomms providers, but doesn’t that annoy most people?
What is your greatest luxury in life?
I love discovering historic sites with my wife. My favourites are Pompeii and Herculaneum because it’s almost like they’ve been stopped in time. There’s so much to discover there because so much has been preserved
What is the strangest job you’ve had?
In 1971, I spent the school holidays at a shampoo factory where I had to mix large batches of powdered egg and lemon essence to make the shampoo. It only earned me £1.25 a day, but back then that would get you eight pints!
Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with?
Donald Trump, as a massive favour to the rest of the world
What is your greatest ambition?
To have some grandchildren
What piece of kit would you like to see invented?
An energy-positive nuclear fusion reactor. It would create an endless supply of cheap energy, without using radioactive materials
Where would you like to be now?
Skiing in Italy, especially in Courmayeur
What’s your worst fashion disaster?
My 1970s brown pinstripe three-piece suit with massive lapels, kipper tie and platform heels
Where would you go if you could time-travel?
Approximately eight years into the future to see what effect Donald Trump has had on our world and how Brexit is faring
What is the worst kind of print?
The Daily Mail
What was the best business deal that you’ve pulled off?
Winning the Innovations account with my sister in late 1996. It was an absolutely huge account and we had so much fun because we were launching a new brand catalogue every two months. Unfortunately as the company was gradually sold, we lost parts of the account. But we kept the Debenhams brand, among others, and it also taught us that no client should ever have too large a portion of your business
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Work a bit harder as the more you put in the more you get out
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who practised what they preached by behaving with honesty and integrity to both clients and suppliers alike
Life is…?
Absolutely what you make of it
