Angus Forbes is the founder of the charitable endeavour Bankers without Boundaries and is a Cass MBA alumnus passionate about protecting the biosphere through the creation of a Global Planet Authority, by way of the first action of global self-determination. He has recently launched the website www.votegpa.com and is married to ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Dame Darcey Bussell DBE. Find out more below about Angus’ story…
What did you study at Cass and what happened after you graduated?
I did an evening MBA in the Barbican Building.
I was working at Merrill Lynch as a stockbroker while I did my MBA, so I kept on working there. A few years later, I joined a hedge fund for a further six years and for the last 10 years, I have worked in small business, non-finance.
How did your business idea come about?
Two years ago, I started advocating global governance of the biosphere. I suspect it was due to my life experiences and observations.
The first 20 years of my life, I lived all over the world as my father was a diplomat. The second 20, I was in the City, here in London and I specialised in the consumer sector. The last ten I have had reasonable exposure to the environmental philanthropic sector.
What has been the biggest challenge with regards to your business?
Well, I started from scratch. I had to be brave enough to stand up and start talking about what I felt passionate about.
In two years, people have joined and we are beginning to get organised into work streams and become more effective at getting the idea out.
What has been the most rewarding experience?
Having 90% of hands go up of A level students, indicating that they would vote a Global Planet Authority into place…and having people join me on the journey.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to follow in your footsteps?
If my footsteps are to be followed, I’d say, always pursue your passion when you can. There are times when you have to just knuckle down and earn some cash and feed yourself and your family, but never let go of what feels right and natural for you. Your passion doesn’t have to be some revelation, or some great insight. Most of the time, it’s just recognising what comes naturally to you. That’s because your brain and your soul are telling you.
Now for some quick fire questions:
Where is your favourite place in London?
Probably the walk path just inside Green Park, heading down towards the Mall. You have the London plain trees around you and feel right in the epicentre of a world city, a global cross roads.
What is your favourite holiday destination (that you’ve travelled to)?
Wherever there is a clean beach and a medium sized wave. Bondi at the middle flags is pretty special.
Which websites do you check every day?
Daily Telegraph, Bloomberg and embarrassingly, I google Dame Darcey Bussell, my wife, just in case there’s some erroneous article written about her. I like to know if she needs a bit of protection, given she is in the public eye.
What is your dream travel destination?
Right now, to ski in the rockies, I have never been there.
Do you prefer cheese or chocolate?
Tough question. Chocolate just wins.