About John

Outside his professional life, John’s interests embrace:

Theatre – Given that John’s greatest hero is Shakespeare, he was flattered and delighted when The Times City Diary dubbed him ‘Bard’s Banker’ in a headline featuring his appearance on the 1999 Edinburgh Festival Fringe as Thomas Bowdler in ‘Shakespeare’s Bottom’ at the Pleasance Theatre, which ran to rave reviews.

In March 2007, John was asked to perform 'Shake it all about' (the outline of a musical about Parkinson’s Disease, written by Humphrey Carpenter) as part of a charity benefit tribute to Humphrey at the Oxford Playhouse. He shared the stage with, amongst others, Michael Palin, Libby Purves and Jon Snow.

Art - Chairman of Trustees of The Bankside Gallery, home of the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. (see www.banksidegallery.com)

The City – John is a Freeman of the City of London (though he has yet to drive his sheep across London Bridge) and a Liveryman of the Guild of International Bankers. He is also an active member of the Institute of Directors' City branch and the City Livery Club.

Cricket – as spectator now, rather than player. He is a Life Member of the MCC and, whenever he can, tries to find time to be in the Pavilion at Lord’s, especially during Test Matches.

Real Tennis – Last, but by no means least, he has recently become a devotee of Real Tennis, playing at Lord's. Or tennis to true afficianados. Apparently some people play a strange version outdoors on grass. Amazing.