What is your favourite memory of Malvern College?
No question, my favourite memory is winning the Chesterton Cup with the lads when I was in the 6th Form.
What attracted you to your particular career and what do you enjoy most about it?
Cricket was something I happened to be quite good at, but I also didn’t really know what else I wanted to do. I was lucky enough to get a contract for Middlesex whilst still at school and in fact my Middlesex debut came against Somerset at Taunton the day after I’d played football for Malvern at Millfield. The Middlesex coach came and picked me up and took me to the match. I took two catches and made a stumping but wasn’t needed with the bat. Best of all though I was playing for the first time with my heroes, people like Mike Gatting and Mark Ramprakash whose autographs I’d been collecting as a kid!
Cricket gave me a platform for my business life. After 16 years at Middlesex, I was eligible for a testimonial in which we raised £30,000 for Shooting Star House, a children’s hospice. During that year, I developed an appetite for both business and giving back which created the idea for a business that combined both. D&G Group was founded with my brother, Glen, in our parents’ spare room and in 11 years we have raised £21m for charity. I’ve written my story in a new book Bails and Boardrooms: How Cricket changed My Life, proceeds of which are going to the hospice.
What part did Malvern College play in giving you the necessary skills for your chosen path?
Quite simply Malvern made me grow up. I had to become more independent and it helped me become tougher.
What are your ambitions?
I want to keep building my business and continue to enjoy the entrepreneurial side of things. We founded the Sixes Cricket Club but I love property too so we’re now building a hotel. We had a team of 42 before Covid and although we’re now down to 17 we’re going to build back up again.
What advice would you give to current pupils contemplating working or studying in your field?
In terms of the cricket the best advice is to work harder than anyone else. I’d use Andrew Strauss as an example of that – he would work harder and be fitter than anyone else as well as mentally stronger. If you give it your all then you can live out your dreams.
In terms of business then I feel it’s really important to understand relationship building and the people side of things. Malvern gives you a good network so don’t’ underestimate it. Being sociable and being able to sell are really important in my business.
What advice would you give to current pupils about making the most of their time at the school?
Get involved in absolutely everything – give everything a go. But also rely on your ‘super strength’ whether it be maths or networking or cricket, and that take that into your chosen life.
Any final thoughts?
Enjoy it. Have a go. What have you got to lose? And remember to ask for the deal.
My first break came from approaching Dan McCarthy, the former chairman of House of Fraser, who was our founding client. I approached him about his company’s CSR (corporate social responsibility) and events strategy at a cricket event on a Thursday night: we pitched to him in his office on the Tuesday, and that’s how we started the business. Always go to the top – someone will have given that CEO their opportunity – and my approach was to ask them to give me an opportunity too. I also learned three particular things from Dan: 1. Get great people around you; 2. Wear your best suit when you meet your bank manager and 3. Go with your gut feel.