In the past twenty years, we have lived through several cycles and we have always managed to buy under good terms and conditions at the right time. This has enabled us to build a solid group that is now the world number one.

When I think about parallels between myself and an Olympian, I believe that success in the world of business is underpinned by very similar principles of perseverance and hard work.

There will be no job cuts arising out of this merger in Europe - this is in the interest of jobs in Europe.

We are beginning to see the benefits of globalconsolidation.

It is a high for me. It is my biggest and most satisfying deal.

The danger, though - and there have been signs of this recently - is that Europe begins to demonstrate a return to more nationalist sentiment. To my mind, that would be a great mistake.

We have no intention of shutting down plants. We have always said there will be no redundancies or lay-offs as a result of this merger.