Why did you become a lawyer?

I stumbled into the law. In the third year of a history degree I had to decide what to do with myself. I went for a large number of interviews for a broad range of different things but found that nothing appealed. A friend then suggested that if I stayed on at university and read part one of the Law Tripos I could obtain exemption from the first part of the solicitors' exams if I discovered that I enjoyed law. I did.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

David Williams, one of my supervisors at Cambridge, who showed me how to be a good lawyer, and David Napley of Kingsley Napley, where I did my training, who showed me how to be a good adviser – and the benefits of a good lunch.

What is your proudest professional moment?

There is no single defining moment. I look back with most satisfaction on the growth of the Travers Smith private equity practice and the way it has attracted a large number of exceptional lawyers, who have built a leading practice on the foundations that I helped to lay.

The worst day on the job?

Being sent to Windsor Magistrates' Court while a trainee to sit behind counsel, who was defending a client charged with theft, only to find that counsel had a different date in his diary for the hearing and I was expected to substitute for him.

Aside for those at your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why?

I admire all the leading lawyers at the leading private equity firms – for different reasons. Outside this small community the lawyer I would pick out is Glen James of Slaughter and May, for his intellectual sharpness and his old-fashioned courtesy of manner.

What is your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

My strongest characteristic is remaining calm and focused under the most trying circumstances. My worst trait is being overly – and sometimes no doubt unreasonably – demanding of those around me.

How do you think your assistants view you?

My secretary says they all admire me and think I am a very hard worker but, as I mention above, I am a hard taskmaster and sometimes forget that they have a life outside Travers Smith.

How do you sell yourself in pitches to clients?

As somebody who will look after their interests to the highest standards, will cut through the legal technicalities to the commercial keys and as somebody they will enjoy doing business with.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out?

Only do it if you are passionate about the job.

What's the best part of your job?

My colleagues at Travers Smith – which is why I have stayed at the firm for 20 years – and the people at the clients for whom I act regularly, combined with the intellectual stimulation the job provides.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

The fact that it is a service industry and somebody else takes all the big decisions.

What would be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area over the next 12 months?

The step up in size of funds being raised by some of the leading private equity houses – this will have knock-on effects throughout the private equity market.

What would you do if you weren't a lawyer?

I would probably be a gardener or legal historian.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Reading in my garden and otherwise dividing my time between my family and Stamford Bridge.

What is your favourite cheese?

Wensleydale.