In this long career at the highest executive level, I discovered three important truths about running a company.

The first is that, despite all the people that surround you, it is actually a very lonely position. It can become very difficult to discuss something frankly and openly with a colleague. Often they have an entrenched position which they either wish to defend or to expand.

Secondly, I discovered that whilst it was easy to delegate where line management matters were concerned, it was never quite that simple when I required someone to step outside the circle, so to speak, and take a fresh look at a problem.

Thirdly, it became obvious that there simply wasn't enough time a do all the things I wanted to do. There were, of course, other directors and department heads. But all too often conflicts of interest might arise over the way things had always been done and the way in which I wanted to try.

Therefore I know that no one gets to be Chief Executive unless they have a lot to offer. I also know that, until now, there has been no one offering the specific kind of assistance someone in your position wants.

It was this personal experience that led me to set up Carpenter, Marangos & Co. Although my organisation also provides people besides myself - usually experts with specialist skills, it still remains fundamentally a personal service offered by one Chief Executive to another.