 Sir Martin: "Persistence and speed" |
The heady heights of big business may seem out of reach for most of us. But in a weekly series, BBC News Online looks at the lives of the UK's top bosses - and uncovers the early secrets of company head honchos.
Sir Martin Sorrell joined the advertising giant WPP in 1986 as a director, becoming Group chief executive in the same year.
What was your first car?
I managed to get my hands on an Alfa Romeo GTV. But I really had my eye on an Alfa Montreal.
What was your first job - and how much were you paid?
I was actually employed by my father as a radio and TV salesman and hire purchase clerk. I can't remember exactly how much I was paid, but I think it was �5 a week.
What was the first house you owned and how much did it cost?
It was a flat off Regent's Park, and the mortgage was �8,800 on a total cost of �11,000.
My father thought it was the most ridiculous price for a shoebox.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My father, for the obvious reasons, one of which was he gave me my first job.
What's the best bit of business advice you've had?
I can't remember who told me this, or where I heard it but "persistence and speed" is a good one.
Or, as Churchill would say "KBO", which I probably can't spell out in print!
What was the proudest moment of your career?
One of the highlights of my life was bowling out cricketing legends Clive Lloyd and Mike Proctor - for the obvious reasons.
WPP is one of the world's largest advertising groups and joined the FTSE 100 in 1998. It was formed in 1985 when Martin Sorrell took a stake in Wire & Plastic Products PLC, a UK manufacturer of wire baskets, under plans to to build a worldwide marketing services company.
The group now has 62,000 people working in 1,400 offices in 103 countries around the world.
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