Name:
Chirag Shah
Age:
42
Company:
The Ecurie Group, operating and franchising écurie25 Supercar Clubs
Turnover:
£5m
First job:
Production Engineer, Rover Cars
Dream job:
I know it’s a cliche, but I bet I get told I have the best job in the world more often than anyone else. For me the idea of a business trip is hosting guests at the Monaco Grand Prix whilst drinking champagne on a yacht. Maybe Bernie Ecclestone’s job is better – but then he doesn’t get to drive in his own product.
Car:
Fisker Karma (electric hybrid). Driving on just electric power is exhilarating and good for the soul. Plus I always have the stable of Ferraris and Lamborghinis back at the club when I need more of an adrenalin rush.
Economy, business or first class:
Economy with Business Class upgrades when I have sufficient air miles.
Most extravagant purchase:
In 2004 I opened a new office in Chicago and bought a Ford Thunderbird. By the time it had arrived I decided to return to the UK. I couldn’t face selling it, so I shipped it back with me to London and it has been in my garage with 1000 miles on the clock ever since.
Most played song on iPod:
I can’t be bothered with downloading music – I’m just happy to listento whatever’s on the radio. My favourite song is Goodbye Yellowbrick Road by Elton John.
Best business book:
“Crossing the Chasm” by Geoffrey Moore – a ‘must read’ for all early stage entrepreneurs struggling with growth cycles.
Worst business moment:
October 14th, 2008 – four weeks “post-Lehman” we had literally sold nothing for a month. I told my wife that I would have to shut down if we did not make any sales by Friday. On Friday, the Bank of England officially announced that we were in a recession and for some bizarre reason that I will never understand we made three sales that same day.
Proudest business moment:
Receiving a Sunday Times “Best Companies to Work For” award in 2006, because it is something that employees of a company apply for and not management.
Business mentor:
Lord David Sainsbury, through the Sainsbury’s Management Fellows Scheme. He has formulated a programme that combines business education and peer-to-peer networking to help young engineers become successful business leaders and that has been a great inspiration for me.
Next big thing:
A friend and I have just launched a new iPhone game called Assassin Live – it takes the game of Paintball into the real world by tracking and shooting each other using the GPS on users’ iPhones.
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