It was the summer of 2019. Guy had just turned 66 and was ready for a new challenge. Having spent most of his life working with and advising entrepreneurs, he had recently become much more interested in the concept of social entrepreneurship, where people and planet, as well as profit, are at the centre of the business agenda. This is the so-called “triple bottom line” and the domain of the social entrepreneur.

Fundraising to enable and support this great cause quickly became Guy’s focus and, with no desire (or capability) to climb a mountain or run multiple marathons, Guy settled on the idea of a water-based activity. Having started rowing at Marlow Rowing Club on the Thames in 2014, rowing seemed like an appropriate choice.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge beckoned and a chance telephone call with the son of a friend who had recently succumbed to cancer yielded an enthusiastic response. So it was that David, an extreme sports enthusiast and a strong supporter of entrepreneurship, joined the crew.

Guy and David will set off to row the 3,000 miles from the Canaries to Antigua in December 2021. They hope to arrive in February, 2022. If they are successful, as records currently stand, they will be the oldest pair ever to row any ocean.