With offices in 64 cities around the world, it is sometimes a challenge to ensure that I've got my finger on the pulse with every one, everywhere. Staying in touch means early rising for calls with China and Japan, and late calls with the U.S.

Fastidious attention to detail makes the difference between an OK service and first class service.

When you think about the word 'quintessentially', it's about trying to get to the very essence of something.

In my heart and soul, I am a West Country man, and ideally, my weekends are spent there.

Voting in presidential and congressional elections is a national right - and the national government should protect it.

I believe in the greatness of our democracy.

An important task for government is to think about the future as well as to learn from the past, and the Foresight Programme, run by the Government Office for Science, helps in the development of this thinking.

The real goal should be reduced government spending, rather than balanced budgets achieved by ever rising tax rates to cover ever rising spending.