Started his professional life working for Lloyds Bank in UK and soon realized that death through boredom was a reality.

William managed to get selected for Officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and a contract to stay in military service for 3 years which turned into almost 30 years. 

He saw active service in the Far East, Middle East, Angola, Balkans and Northern Ireland. Other highlights included 2 years at NATO HQ, Brussels and a ten day attachment with the Russian Army in Moscow.

Went through the challenging transition out of the army looking for a new career in the Management training.  Through networking and a lot of luck began a new career Management training all over Europe, with short term contracts in India and USA.

His main specialty is Leadership Coaching which enables individuals to see their own leadership behavior and what ‘change behavior’ they need to lead more effectively.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
Turned up here December 2016 with the sole aim of starting a whole new life!!

Hungary was not new to me. The British Army send me here in 1997. Little did I imagine that such a brief visit would change the course of my life when I  married a lovely Hungarian Opera singer who came from the gorgeous town of Gyula on the Romanian border.     

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I was born Zambia and lived there for 12 years which I guess qualifies me as ‘child expat’ plus 13 years living near Frankfurt.  Temporary resident  in the Far East, Middle East, Africa and Balkans whilst serving in the British Army I guess doesn’t give me expatriate status:)

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
What first hit me when I  came in 1997 was the shabbiness and relative poverty of Budapest compared to Western Europe.

Now I am struck by the massive regeneration and beautification of the old buildings.  I remember  the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace standing ruined, black and desolate and then completely renovated to its original glory along with so many other Architectural gems.  

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
To view Budapest in all its glory you must do a night river trip. Dip into a Thermal bath, go to a back street Hungarian restaurant away from the madding crowd, experience the music culture from pop, jazz to classical music or opera and finally drink too much at a ruined pub with Palinka chasers.  Other highlights would be Buda castle and the art gallery, Hero’s square,Margit Island, the Basilica.

If time take a boat trip up the Danube to Szentendre. 

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Fisherman’s Soup (Halászlė) followed by Pôrkôlt (Pork stew) or Töltött (Stuffed Cabbage Leaves) and to finish amazing Apple Strudel or speciality gorgeous, calorific Hungarian cakes.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Hungarian Champagne

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Gyönyörű - Gorgeous

8. What do you miss most from home?
English Pork Sausages

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Professional Golfer

10. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
One that is dominated by looking at a computer all day and stressing yourself over the 50 -100 emails you get a day.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
New York celebrating my girlfriend’s …… birthday.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
A golf trip around Hungary, sampling the local wine, thermal baths and cuisine.

13. Apart of temptation what can’t you resist?
Soft French Cheese with a glass of Red Wine and a Cuban cigar to finish.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Queen, The Good the Bad and the Ugly and Cricket.

15. Red wine or white?
Both

16. Book or movie?
Good book -The best I ever read was War and Peace.

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning -  especially watching the sun come up with good company.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Racism

19. Buda or Pest side?
Buda for peace. Pest for party.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Success is going from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm