You’re the youngest of four brothers. What’s been the long-term impact of that on your personality?

I had to learn to stand on my own two feet and I can give back as good as I get. I also think the youngest gets spoilt the most – hopefully that doesn’t show.

What did you want to be when you were a boy?

You take a test when you’re 11 or 12 that evaluates you in terms of career routes. It made me a publican.

Would you like to run a pub or a restaurant in your summer years perhaps?

I don’t think so. I’m a fairly addictive character – I get into work and then I find it hard to leave. I’d eat too much, and then have to diet. It’s scary to think of how I’d end up eating or drinking on the job. Although after 20 years of smoking, I did manage to give up last year overnight.

What was the occasion?

I’d told myself for eight years that I’d quit, either when I had my first child, or when I turned 35. I actually gave up two days before I turned 35, which I thought was a bit pointless at the time, but a month later I found out it was the same day our boy was … created.

Is he the first of six?

It’s the first of more, but I’m not sure it’s going to be six.

How has fatherhood changed your life?

It’s made me enjoy my time at work more! Also, as most fathers would say, it makes you realize you’re not number one in life any more. Undoubtedly I have a wider perspective, and have to think of others first. It’s a big turning point – far more so than marriage.

Has it altered your working patterns?

I don’t know, but I’ve heard that people in the office are quite happy because they can go home a bit earlier.

So how did the catering industry’s loss become real estate’s gain?

My grandfather was in real estate – at Hillier Parker, which is now CBRE. My uncle was a senior with the same company. I have cousins in the business as well. My first ever job while at school was taking photographs of real estate for Healey & Baker.

Does it infuriate you when clients poach staff?

Not at all. If investors and developers have people who used to work in agency, it gives them a fantastic insight into what the agency world is all about. I have no angst at all about people taking staff. The structure within our teams ensures we have a strong number two and number three – we strive for that in every area. If people didn’t leave, I think it would make it difficult to keep some of your energetic middle people. We don’t really want people to go to other agents, but that’s just pride.

And how about yourself – what comes after Prague?

They were desperate to get me into Russia. I look after the region for retail so I go there a fair bit. But I don’t really want to move there. You have a different view on life when you have a family. I don’t have any goals to leave the Czech Republic at present.

You’ve lived in various countries – which national side do you support?

English rugby.

And football?

Arsenal.

Who’s your favorite player?

Has to be Thierry Henry. Obviously also Michael Thomas, who scored the goal against Liverpool to win 2-0 and win the league title in 1989.

Which sport were you best at?

Rugby, but my body went to pieces – although I did run the half-marathon the last couple of years. My favorite sport is sailing. It’s been in my system since I was a baby – my father has a yacht and we used to take four-week trips to Denmark. My father-in-law here has a boat in Slapy.

Which magazine do you pick up in the airport?

Always the business ones – I love the FT.

Which day?

I think it’s on Thursday that they have an overview of a particular business. They’ll talk about management structures and those sorts of things. Awfully boring.

Is your book selection more exciting? Which book did you finish recently and would recommend?

Like everybody I guess, I just read The Da Vinci Code … but I think my favorite is Papillon (Henri Charierre). I also like the Jean M Auel series: The Clan of the Cave Bear etc. I like books that have some history involved, and they go back to pre-historic times. I’m not that much of a reader, it’s usually when I’m on holiday – but I don’t read much garbage either.

So you’ll be reading when you’re on holiday next week?

It’s the first one we’ve taken as a family. We’re going to Cyprus and have made sure the hotel has babysitters.

Which movie do you wish you could see again for the first time?

Four Weddings and a Funeral – it shows how wonderfully ridiculous the English are.