The arrival of the news of the award from Her Majesty the Queen for my services to the UK business community has overwhelmed me. I am humbled and honored by this incredible recognition: Officer of the British Empire (OBE).
Looking back on my life, I see a young boy, born into an Italian chicken farmer’s family who went to school with the smell of smoke from the fire on his clothes. I see the same boy, older now, move to University in Pisa to study Law, and then to the UK and to Chesterfield, working in a garage, to pay for his English studies.
I see a young adult travelling around the world with photocopied catalogues to promote a revolutionary new high-speed reeling cable. Then I met him again, back in London, after 15 years of around 220 days on average per year travelling around the world and fighting for the best for his adopted country, the UK. This man is more experienced and confident. He is fully at home and fully committed. He is planning for the incoming challenges of Brexit, leading his company in investing millions in the North West and trying his best to bring back a different kind of industry to the UK.
He is fighting to change the minds and outlooks of those within the cable industry who are still resistant to improving the safety of the industry and its products. He sees lost battles and is close to losing hope that change will come, but he doesn’t give up.
I saw that boy grow up and go to University again, this time in London, studying an MBA at Bayes Business School, City University of London. Now he is exchanging views with those in positions of influence in politics, business, education and more, bringing international perspectives, ways of doing things and ambitions to those at the top as they surge forward with plans for new trade deals. Today I saw a man, with his friends, build a beautiful initiative, the charity Esharelife Foundation. Esharelife holds that the secret of living a meaningful life is giving and sharing. Giving back to society, sharing your life with others and working to help change people’s lives for the better is what Esharelife was built for.
Today, on receiving the OBE, I want to offer to all the people I have met, and have helped me in my life, to become what I am, my profound thanks.
I am but a humble servant of our God, Jesus Christ, who made everything possible. I am doing my best and I will do more; I have faith. I have many to thank, and above all, I thank God for finding a good use for a derelict sinner like me.
“The merit of One, the Glory of All”.
The One is not me, but God works through me.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good work, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Math. v. 16.
But take no pride in anything which you do.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory. “
Psalm cxv. I.
“Rule IX The Conduct of Life for the freeman of the City”.
#ImHonoured