Riddle me this… Fin Gunn
Whether being mistaken for a drug dealer or the comfortable joys of a holed jumper, we get personal with the founder of Gunn Line
If you knew then what you know now… would you still do it?
I gave up smoking last week as an advance birthday present to myself for when I turn 50. I would happily tell my 18 year old self to never of started given the living hell the last eight days have provided…..!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My father wrote me a note when he was dying saying “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” I would annotate this and add a caveat - “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself, apart from IED’s (improvised explosive devices), IED’s are bloody scary”.
What’s the weirdest rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself?
When I first got to regiment about four weeks before deployment to Afghanistan (Fin served as a Territorial Army augmentee with the Kings Royal Hussars in 2012) there was a rumour going around that I was a drug dealer. This wasn’t the case.
What was your biggest break?
Still waiting on that one….
Do you consider yourself lucky?
I’ve done a lot of silly things. Sometimes I got hurt and sometimes I didn’t. For the most part I was more proficient at the things that hurt me less. On a side note, I think anyone living in this country is comparatively pretty lucky.
What’s most important in your life?
The real answer being mother, girlfriend, friends, dogs, horses, health etc. The answer you’re looking for would probably be my bloody phone! I hate it but it’s essential for work and without work there’s no money. It’s a simple formula for a fairly simple bloke.
What brands do you admire?
I admire any brand that has had the bravery and self-belief to try and cut their teeth as an entrepreneur. It’s no easy thing and many fail, the important thing is that they tried. David Saxby of Old Hat is a kindred spirit when it comes to old fashioned quality and cut.
Do you have a guilty pleasure – if so what is it?
I would say that perhaps with any form of field sports there is an element of both guilt and pleasure. To take an animals life with no regard for its existence up until that point would be callous. With everything in life there must be balance and I personally feel that the guilt and the pleasure manifest themselves in respect. There are many facets within any field sport and I could spend all day discussing them so I’ll leave it at that.
Describe your personal sense of style.
I’ll quote a friend of mine, Charlie Beamish, who observed my slovenly turnout a few weeks ago “skinny chinos, slippers and jumpers that are both too small for you and full of holes.” I also enjoy wearing ties. 