The 5-Minute Interview: Simon Jordan, Entrepreneur

'I'm not quite a philanthropist but certainly a pseudo-Renaissance man'

Simon Jordan, 39, is a former mobile-phone tycoon and chairman of Crystal Palace football club. He is currently producing and financing the British film 'Telstar', an Aspiration Films production that tells the story of the late record producer Joe Meeks

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

On my mobile phone probably talking to either my PA or my irritating publicist. If not, I'd be down at the gym keeping fit.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"The reality of it is" - meaning the person I'm speaking to isn't being realistic - and "with all due respect". This phrase normally pre-empts something that means exactly the opposite.

T he most surprising thing that ever happened to me was ...

To be honest, nothing ever surprises me. However, sometimes people or things can disappoint me.

People should take more notice of...

Me!

A misperception of me is ...

There are many misinterpretations of me; some might say that I shoot from the hip. Without sounding arrogant I think quickly and weigh things up with speed and respond in the same manner.

I'm not a politician but...

I believe change to be a good thing. Everything must evolve but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.

In moments of weakness I...

Buy a football club. Seriously, I sometimes allow empathy to cloud my judgement. I have an aspirational outlook on life and thus can often be disappointed.

You know me as chairman of CPFC, but in a truer life I'd have been a...

I'd like to think I'm known for many things, including being the chairman of Crystal Palace. In real life I have always been a huge risk-taker, a person who believes and invests in other people's ambitions, so not quite a philanthropist, but certainly a pseudo-Renaissance man. I am where I am because I chose to be where I am.

The best age to be is ...

Thirty-five. In my opinion you are young enough to do what you like but old enough to know better. Life is full of challenges and I will continue to embrace them each and every one.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

"You can have what you want in life, as long as you are prepared to make whatever sacrifices to get it", and "A good fight is not one you put up, it's the one you win".