Chris Hughes is the managing director of global consumer event organiser, Brand Events, famous for its worldwide Top Gear Live shows, and the world’s largest programme of food festivals, Taste. He is also an ambassador for FaceTime, the marketing body charged with promoting the power of live events. Having just returned from the Top Gear Live world tour which was hosted in the UK, Dublin, Amsterdam, Sydney, Auckland, Jo’Burg and Cape Town, Hughes’ is now focusing on Golf Live, an interactive golf festival in partnership with IMG at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire, from 14–16 May 2010.

You will always find inside…

iPhone:
“Having recently surpassed the BlackBerry. I like the idea of all the apps, but don’t really use them and mainly just talk to people and send messages.”

Sleeping tablets
“The essential tool for the jet-lagged business man. I think the art is to sleep on the plane, and sleep the first night; it’s much harder when travelling East”

Notepad
“An old-fashioned, essential tool for scribbling ideas and plans. If you want to know what I’m thinking, steal my notepad (I believe this is still Branson’s favourite tool)

Laptop
“Mainly used to maximise airport security harassment. However, occasionally I can’t read the documents on my phone, so this comes in handy”

Book
“Currently reading Invictus, having recently met Nelson Mandela with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.”

Pieces of paper
“Usually spreadsheets, idea documents or sales reports.”

Half-eaten food
“Such as chocolate and bananas.”

Something my kids have put in there
“I recently pulled out a Sherbet Dip by accident… during a meeting.”

The most dog-eared, over-stamped, been-twice-through-the-washing-machine passport you’ve ever seen
“Desperately needs replacing, particularly after the very grumpy New Zealand customs office roughed me up recently at the airport.