AGE

I was 54 years old when I started Starling. In tech, that makes me ancient. In banking, it means I actually know what I'm doing. I'd spent 30 years inside banks. I knew exactly what was broken.

I started Xiaomi at 41 because I realized I had one more big fight left in me. If not now, when? If not this, what? Age is an excuse, not a reason.

Starting Fundsmith at 57 when most people are retiring was either the smartest or the dumbest thing I've ever done. Fifteen years of 15% returns suggest it was the former.

Age is not a barrier to entrepreneurship. Experience is an advantage. I knew things at 49 that I did not know at 29.

I started a new fund at 81. Age is not a barrier to investing. It is an advantage. I have seen more cycles than anyone.

I sold my company to Disney and then started over at 60. Age is not a constraint. Curiosity is a fuel.

I started this company at 53. People thought that was mad. I thought it was exactly the right time.