born english businessman chief executive world largest spirits group years criticised press seen excessive received admiration ability build brands spent majority career precursor notable decision acquisition drinks company added captain morgan crown royal canadian roster brands tenure charge closely mirrored behaviour head food business selling non essential assets aggressively marketing select number core brands disciplined prices paid acquisition assets end career increased company exposure developing markets india china february non executive chairman world largest catering company role advisor ended september early life born raised mill town lancashire england child arthur father pipe later ran small thermal engineering company mother housewife claims inherited work ethic father skills mother confidence parents described strict loving great grandfather emigrated ireland bears common irish surname educated local comprehensive followed initially fighter pilot influenced hero mathematics teacher royal_air_force world war gained pilot licence failed medical examination fly fighter jets colour instead took sandwich degree accounting economics work placement operative group soft drinks operation enjoy accounting reasoned skill provide good gateway business moved london work later manufacturer industrial equipment says learnt attitude career grand metropolitan joined london based property grand metropolitan grand met financial account manager division request moved sales marketing role division chief financial officer came attention chairman reformed financial reporting system moved new_york property strong division tasked acquiring properties having arrived height identified real estate bubble argued price selling buying helped negotiate sale chain billion cash price earnings ratio later described deal decade bubble burst suggested japanese company chain analyst described intercontinental chart sold chain billion having added hotels following joined headquartered food division proceeds intercontinental sale initiate hostile takeover owner brands billion offer held analysts generous struggling company performing industry subsequently admitted green giant vegetables division attempting attracted brands believed held exploited potential international growth writing accused exploiting potential overseas said thought powerful brands kind lost way felt leverage brands technologies number things number number cost reduction way life responsible protect seed today tree bears fruit future don think january chief executive addition job food division identified divisions poorly integrated independence head office invested heavily research development technology systems marketing boosted marketing budget helped grow known brand product global reach best known names luxury ice cream concentrating company consumer food sold pet food business million cash february participated friendly takeover makers branded foods billion number analysts feared time company taking debt defended acquisition arguing paying fair price attractive brands adding faith continued growth food sector october joined board directors assumed additional responsibility paris based european food operations chairman president described managed leadership credited company operating profits grew million million merged major drinks concern new company named returned england elected chief operating officer january ceo september took company merger years earlier economist deemed mediocre head transformed consumer goods company streamlined premium drinks business said positions drinks leadership marginal capital view supported colleagues board focus global leader couldn food slot taken world command position premium drinks identified drinks central business began selling assets fit model sold billion private equity firm billion suggested liked sold earlier worried capacity handle transactions simultaneously strategy bolster drinks sales acquired drinks business conjunction billion action later credited time analysts suggested gained control better brands despite having entered alliance order avoid regulatory issues forced brand acquiring captain morgan defended deal basis efficiency savings fact deal entirely financed sale acquisition says moved deal forced hand quickly competitors trying act look paid history bargain century total price economic profit break end year produced phenomenal returns look allied acquisition cent higher multiple terms getting good collection brands deal cemented decision focus drinks strengthened leadership position key market adding captain morgan crown royal canadian company portfolio products inspired success invested heavily ready drink products termed british press exception new products developed able establish marketplace trend quickly dubbed media failures proved costly captain lost million company acquired irish whiskey brand million acquired cent stake brand million received threatened headquarters away united_kingdom following introduction cent income tax rate high said believe cent tax rate lead long term damage nation competitive edge april daily_mail accused personal income tax avoidance later year criticised cameron government suggesting london olympics ought followed greater infrastructure spending tackle unemployment announced stepping chief september stay company advisor june aid transition process reception repeatedly spoken need companies genuinely socially responsible management careful manage value avoid assets according independent allowing bid big rivals pick brands fall deals criticised decision exit indian spirits market strategy reversed acquisition stake commented times acquisition seen company owner utterly rival prepared play long game director merchant bank described counter criticised size salary leading said positive view company problem pay responsibilities addition responsibilities non executive director non executive director successor company sat board stepping reduced stake company non executive director energy company march chairman governors council member served chairman member august joined board personal life described times tall confidence bluff humour masks fiercely competitive nature claims lead relatively modest life dominated work spent half time foreign countries totalling million air miles met manchester born london flight attendant married son born april paul work moved united_states new_york followed minnesota couple returned united_kingdom separated received divorce settlement million ranks largest british history october reported engaged marry girlfriend public relations executive married highest paid businessmen britain earning million june june work lives farmhouse acre grounds near maintains apartment near bridge london lives holds minority stake acre game ranch south_africa enjoys big game hunting
Paul S. Walsh