08/23/2021
Richard Pattle of our client True Beacon was the featured "human" in Humans of Bombay earlier this month. We just saw Richard last Friday, as he was in town for a brief visit. We look forward to visiting India and seeing that Royal Enfield In person!
“I come from the UK; we lived in a large country house. I had an amazing childhood, I went to the best private schools, but all of that came to a halt when I was a teenager. My stepfather and mother entered into an international business deal that went wrong. One afternoon, a bailiff repossessed our home; I had 45 minutes to pack a suitcase. I left that day never to see that house again.
The experience shook me to the core– it was at least 10 years before I could tell even my best friend about it. I was just a teenager trying to figure out his path in life when at 14, I ended up joining the air cadets, and at 17 held a Private Pilot's Licence.
I decided to apply for military pilot selection at 18, full of confidence that I would fulfil my aviation dreams. But my confidence was hugely misplaced– I failed and was advised never to apply again. At first, I wanted to crawl into a cave and hide, but I’ve always been a little tenacious.
Two years later, I applied again and passed– with the Royal Air Force sponsoring me through University. I spent the majority of my 18 years in the Royal Air Force conducting combat operations in places like Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland.
By my early thirties, I was married and had just become a father; we had a home in London and I wanted a posting there, and ended up working for Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. I was up against 5 other officers and was very fortunate to be selected; I ended up working for the British Royal Family for 8 years as Equerry and then Master of The Household.
I guess I’m someone who tries to make the best in any given situation. I think that’s why I’ve led an adventurous life, with each chapter involving India, since I first visited 30 years ago. I came here for the first time in 2006, on an exchange posting with the Indian Armed Forces. My family and I landed at the Bangalore airport, drove for 6 hours up to Nilgiri Hills, and lived there for a year with our 3 children. This cemented my tryst with India and set me on the path I’m on today.
I was the Vice Chairman of Standard Chartered Private Bank globally for 6 years. Strangely enough, I always had an obsession with wanting to work for a bank. I even did a week's work as a teenager at a bank. Honestly, I knew very little about finance, but on leaving I knew enough about private banking– that’s how True Beacon happened.
I met my business partner in India 2 years ago– we’re an Indian hedge fund and asset management company, with over 350 clients. But honestly, the best part of my day is riding into work on my Royal Enfield!
Today, I’m 52, and I’ve had a cracking life; from the military to serving the royal family, from banking to entrepreneurship. I’ve always been a strong believer in seizing chances, but never to over-plan life– I’ve gone where the path has taken me. And am I still ashamed about my early failures? Quite the opposite. I wear them with pride.”
