The latest news, articles and insights from Terry
The episode opens with James Burt on a familiar investing truth: missed opportunities. No one picks every winner, and passed-over deals can later become successes. You can’t back everything, and you won’t be right every time. I try to focus on the investments I did make, though it’s hard not to sometimes think, “what if?”
This episode looks at the power of the right network. In every business I’ve worked in, the people around me have made the biggest difference. A strong network opens doors, speeds up growth and creates value money can’t buy. Across travel, football or whiskey, trusted relationships solve problems, spark opportunities and shape the future. Connections are essential.
At nineteen I was asked to leave my travel course for lacking “relevant qualifications” and told I’d never succeed in the industry. Instead of accepting it, I used it as motivation. I set a clear goal: become CEO of the world’s largest travel company. It took two decades of work, setbacks, risk and resilience, but I kept trusting my instincts and moving forward. Self-belief doesn’t guarantee success, but without it, you have no chance.
When you sell a business, the highest offer isn’t always the right one. A good exit is about the future of what you built, not just the cheque. Pick a buyer who protects your team, understands your values and carries the vision forward. A sale should feel like a handover, not a goodbye. The best deal is the one that respects what you’ve built.
A successful career shouldn’t come at the expense of the people you love. When I attended the Monaco Grand Prix as CEO of a whiskey brand, I brought my daughter along. I delivered for the business and still created special memories with her. It proved work and life don’t always need to be separate. Balance isn’t choosing one or the other — it’s finding moments where both can win.
