Mark Maclure

Favourite Drink

Now picking just one favourite drink is hard, as it very much depends on the time of day; so here are my favourites:

Morning: Fresh roasted black coffee in the morning is hard to beat.

Daytime: Water – essential for mind, body and soul. When I lived in Scotland our water came straight off the hill, filtered only by stones – you could actually chew it! Delicious

Evening: Gin and tonic – but not those flavoured ones – traditional Tanquery and normal tonic.

Favourite Travel Destination

Having sailed half-way round the world (from Australia to the Mediterranean) I have seen some beautiful locations and stunning desert islands.

But my favourite is South Africa – it truly is “a world in one country”. From the African “veldt” in the north (home to the game parks that speak old Africa) to the more Mediterranean-like climate of Cape Town. I am biased as my mother was born here (and my grandfather was the Bishop of Zululand) Taking the Garden Route from Cape Town north is divine.

Favourite TV Show

I always seem to be out and about, whether that be networking for the business, playing real tennis, cycling or out with friends, so I don’t have much time for TV.  

I can’t immediately recall a favourite – I always say the news is my favourite tv programme and some sport and the occasional film. 

I guess I do occasionally watch a period drama, as we make those well here in the UK – if I had to choose, I’d go for Peaky Blinders, as the most recent favourite.

Favourite Hobby

That would have to be Real Tennis. This is the ancient precursor to Lawn Tennis and originated centuries ago in France. It is played on an indoor court with walls and sloping cloisters-style roofs, and a central net dividing the court. It can also lay claim to hosting the oldest world championship competition of any sport. 

Played by only around 12,000 players and with only 44 courts in the world, it probably does qualify as a hobby as well as a sport!! I can lay claim to being ranked in the top 500 or so in the world, so it must be eclectic!!

Favourite Podcast

I’m not a prolific listener of podcasts but my two favourites are:

• The Loyalty Podcast – where New World Loyalty invite guest speakers to talk about all things loyalty. I joined Iain Pringle and the team on one the sessions talking on B2B loyalty - listen to the podcast here )
• The 15 Minute VC – hosted by Harry Stebbings (son of a schoolmate) this featuresd interviews with a huge range of entrepreneurs and influencers – and gets nearly 10m downloads a month!!

Idols/ Heroes

Here are a few people I admire greatly:

• Steven Covey - His 7 Habits are great guidelines to follow in life.
• Nelson Mandela - A truly great man in so many ways, but his greatest skill was his ability to forgive.
• Desmond Tutu - Another great man - he was also a great friend of my grandparents!
• Roger Federer - A phenomenal sportsman who, although fiercely competitive and highly focused on success, possesses the wonderful quality of modesty.