Peter Felix’s life has been one packed full of travel and adventure, as he pursued a career around the world. From his early post-student Voluntary Service Overseas role in East Pakistan to his incident-packed tour of Vietnam while war was raging, to living in Hong Kong, the UK, United States, France and Algeria, Peter has traveled extensively as he forged a career in commerce and non-profit organisations.
Surviving 9/11 and a world of other experience
Among his catalog of experiences are many he will never forget … not least the events of September 11, 2001.
Shortly before the terrible day that saw two planes crash into the Twin Towers, killing more than 2,000 people, Peter and June had moved with their young son, Max, to New York from Hong Kong where they had lived for four years. While June pressed ahead with the latest challenge in a fast tack career in financial services, Peter took up the running of the Association of Executive Search Consultants, the professional body for ‘headhunters’ which he turned into a global organisation, even developing an on line service ‘BlueSteps’ for senior executives to connect with executive search firms, which predated LinkedIn. In his spare time he also became president of the St. George’s Society of New York, a charity established in 1770 to help British and Commonwealth citizens in the New York area who had fallen on hard times.
Few people can forget the horror of watching 9/11 unfold on their television sets. But for Peter, the events were far more deeply personal—June had been invited to a seminar in the Windows on The World restaurant at the top of the North Tower that morning, and although she had mercifully declined, she was in her office to see the second plane fly between the tall buildings of Wall Street.
For the rest of that agonizing day, with all communication cut off, Peter had no knowledge of what had happened to his wife, and they were only reunited many hours later after June walked the eight miles home, having taken shelter in her building’s secure bunker as both towers collapsed.
Among Peter’s first tasks for the St. George’s Society had been to organize an exhibition titled “The British in New York since 1770.” However, with the Twin Towers falling before the festival could begin, the name was changed to “UK with NY” to provide a focal point for the grief and sympathy caused by the horrendous event.
A life that reflects the changing times
Peter has enjoyed a huge range of adventures over his lifetime, though thankfully none anywhere near as traumatic as 9/11. As he says in his introduction to his captivating memoir, Around the World in 80 Years, he has visited as many countries as his age since turning 23, with his life and opportunities inevitably reflecting the political, economic, and social changes of the times in which he has lived.
Perhaps the most important journey of Peter’s life was one that he did not undertake himself, but rather was made by his father, Albert, who fled Nazi persecution in 1939 (partly at the suggestion of a friend in the Gestapo) and, penniless, made his way to England via Sweden. It would seem that adventure was pre-programmed in the family genes.
An education at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hampstead school included fellow pupils such as former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, media magnate Martin Sorrell, and renowned historian Simon Schama, Peter went on to achieve a combined honors degree in sociology and law at Exeter University.
After his initial burst of globe-trotting, Peter joined IBM in a marketing support function before being promoted, at the age of 26, to manager of marketing practices. After four years there, he applied to the INSAD business school in Fontainebleau, France to study for a MBA, a decision he has never regretted.
Never assume that you are individually or corporately invulnerable
After graduation, Peter secured a position with Bendix Corporation Home Systems Division, based in Paris, where he travelled around Europe as assistant to the European vice-president, as well as head of Personnel. But the company was severely hit by the oil crisis of the mid 70s and Peter’s role required him to agree termination packages for all its leading staff throughout Europe, including himself. As Peter says, “Never assume that you are individually or corporately invulnerable.”
Peter was to be off on his travels again, this time to Algeria, working in the oil and gas industry, and on his return he joined with Dr Anna Mann to develop a headhunting company that was to lead to an involvement in executive search that lasted for 37 years. He practiced with several different search firms until 1998 when he was appointed full-time president of the Association of Executive Search Consultants.
On first arriving in New York in 1981 Peter had joined the British–American Chamber of Commerce, and before long had become a Director and then President. His contribution there over 12 years was recognised in 1992 with the receipt of a CBE for his contribution to British commercial interests overseas.
The Donald Trump experience
Peter also got to see how Donald Trump operated, describing how he sat next to Princess Margaret at a Chamber function, with “le Donald” on the other side. “With his arm around the back of her chair (decidedly not done), and looking into her eyes, he said, ‘Princess, you have the most beautiful eyes. My mother, who is Scottish, is beside herself tonight knowing that I’m here with you.’”
One of the lesser-known attributes of his CBE was that it entitled Peter to marry in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. So in June 1993 June and he were married there joined by friends from around the world.
June has had her own brilliant career, becoming one of the first women of Chinese heritage to be appointed CEO of one of the 120 largest British companies. Peter has been fully supportive of her journey, and in 1994 and again in 2014, he resigned his post in the United States to move to Hong Kong and eventually London for her work. In a last gesture to the U.S, Peter traded in his green card and became an American citizen.
And, finally, back to the U.S. …
After another busy period in the British capital, he and June, who unfortunately developed some health issues, have since moved to Miami to enjoy a quieter life. Certainly that is something they each deserve – you can be sure that they will make the most of all the free time they have!”
Peter has enjoyed a huge range of adventures over his lifetime, though thankfully none anywhere near as traumatic as 9/11. As he says in his introduction to his captivating memoir, Around the World in 80 Years, he has visited as many countries as his age since turning 23, with his life and opportunities inevitably reflecting the political, economic, and social changes of the times in which he has lived.
Perhaps the most important journey of Peter’s life was one that he did not undertake himself, but rather was made by his father, Albert, who fled Nazi persecution in 1939 (partly at the suggestion of a friend in the Gestapo) and, penniless, made his way to England via Sweden. It would seem that adventure was pre-programmed in the family genes.
An education at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hampstead school included fellow pupils such as former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, media magnate Martin Sorrell, and renowned historian Simon Schama, Peter went on to achieve a combined honors degree in sociology and law at Exeter University.
After his initial burst of globe-trotting, Peter joined IBM in a marketing support function before being promoted, at the age of 26, to manager of marketing practices. After four years there, he applied to the INSAD business school in Fontainebleau, France to study for a MBA, a decision he has never regretted.
Never assume that you are individually or corporately invulnerable
After graduation, Peter secured a position with Bendix Corporation Home Systems Division, based in Paris, where he travelled around Europe as assistant to the European vice-president, as well as head of Personnel. But the company was severely hit by the oil crisis of the mid 70s and Peter’s role required him to agree termination packages for all its leading staff throughout Europe, including himself. As Peter says, “Never assume that you are individually or corporately invulnerable.”
Peter was to be off on his travels again, this time to Algeria, working in the oil and gas industry, and on his return, he joined with Dr Anna Mann to form a headhunting company that was to lead to an involvement in executive search that lasted for 37 years. He practiced with several different search firms until 1998 when he was appointed full-time president of the Association of Executive Search Consultants.
On first arriving in New York in 1981 Peter had joined the British–American Chamber of Commerce, and before long had become a Director and then President. His contribution there over 12 years was recognised in 1992 with the receipt of a CBE for his contribution to British commercial interests overseas.
The Donald Trump experience
Peter also got to see how Donald Trump operated, describing how he sat next to Princess Margaret at a Chamber function, with “le Donald” on the other side. “With his arm around the back of her chair (decidedly not done), and looking into her eyes, he said, ‘Princess, you have the most beautiful eyes. My mother, who is Scottish, is beside herself tonight knowing that I’m here with you.’”
One of the lesser-known attributes of his CBE was that it entitled Peter to marry in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. So in June 1993 June and he were married there joined by friends from around the world.
June has had her own brilliant career, becoming one of the first women of Chinese heritage to be appointed CEO of one of the 120 largest British companies. Peter has been fully supportive of her journey, and in 1994 and again in 2014, he resigned his post in the United States to move to Hong Kong and eventually London for her work. In a last gesture to the U.S, Peter traded in his green card and became an American citizen.
And, finally, back to the U.S. …
After another busy period in the British capital, he and June, who unfortunately developed some health issues, have since moved to Miami to enjoy a quieter life. Certainly that is something they each deserve – you can be sure that they will make the most of all the free time they have!”
Around the World in 80 Years is a true story about the life of Peter Felix, who spent much of his life living and working in different parts of the world. This book is not just about his personal journey, but also about the many changes the world has gone through over the past 80 years.
Peter was born in England during the final days of World War II. His father was a Jewish-German refugee who escaped the Nazis and started a new life in London. Peter’s childhood was shaped by stories of survival, cultural differences, and the rebuilding of life after the war. From early on, he knew that his family’s story was connected to something much bigger.
In his twenties, Peter volunteered with a program that sent young people overseas to help in developing countries. He was sent to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where he lived in villages and worked on family planning and rural development projects. These experiences had a big impact on him and helped shape his future.
Over the years, Peter’s career took him to many different places. He studied at a top business school in France and worked in big cities like Paris, New York, Hong Kong, and London. He worked in business, recruitment, and international organizations, meeting people from all walks of life and learning how different cultures and systems work.
The book also talks about important world events that happened during Peter’s lifetime, like wars, political changes, and the growth of technology. He shares how these events affected not just the world, but also his own life and the lives of the people around him.
What makes this book special is the way Peter shares his stories. He writes with warmth, honesty, and humor. Whether he’s talking about his school days, working in far-off places, or learning important life lessons, he tells his story in a way that is easy to understand and enjoyable to read.
Around the World in 80 Years is perfect for people who enjoy real-life stories, learning about different countries, and hearing how one person’s life can connect with history. It’s a mix of travel, personal memories, and reflections on how the world has changed.
This book reminds us of the value of being open to new experiences, learning from others, and staying curious about the world. Peter’s journey is one of adventure, growth, and hope — and now he shares it with all of us.
Around the World
in 80 Years
Peter Felix’s life has been one packed full of travel and adventure, as he pursued a career around the world. From his early post-student Voluntary Service Overseas role in East Pakistan to his incident-packed tour of Vietnam while war was raging, to living in Hong Kong, the UK, United States, France and Algeria, Peter has traveled extensively as he forged a career in commerce and non-profit organisations.
Surviving 9/11 and a world of other experience
Among his catalog of experiences are many he will never forget … not least the events of September 11, 2001.
Shortly before the terrible day that saw two planes crash into the Twin Towers, killing more than 2,000 people, Peter and June had moved with their young son, Max, to New York from Hong Kong where they had lived for four years. While June pressed ahead with the latest challenge in a fast tack career in financial services, Peter took up the running of the Association of Executive Search Consultants, the professional body for ‘headhunters’ which he turned into a global organisation, even developing an on line service ‘BlueSteps’ for senior executives to connect with executive search firms, which predated LinkedIn. In his spare time he also became president of the St. George’s Society of New York, a charity established in 1770 to help British and Commonwealth citizens in the New York area who had fallen on hard times.
Few people can forget the horror of watching 9/11 unfold on their television sets. But for Peter, the events were far more deeply personal—June had been invited to a seminar in the Windows on The World restaurant at the top of the North Tower that morning, and although she had mercifully declined, she was in her office to see the second plane fly between the tall buildings of Wall Street.
For the rest of that agonizing day, with all communication cut off, Peter had no knowledge of what had happened to his wife, and they were only reunited many hours later after June walked the eight miles home, having taken shelter in her building’s secure bunker as both towers collapsed.
Among Peter’s first tasks for the St. George’s Society had been to organize an exhibition titled “The British in New York since 1770.” However, with the Twin Towers falling before the festival could begin, the name was changed to “UK with NY” to provide a focal point for the grief and sympathy caused by the horrendous event.
A life that reflects the changing times
Peter has enjoyed a huge range of adventures over his lifetime, though thankfully none anywhere near as traumatic as 9/11. As he says in his introduction to his captivating memoir, Around the World in 80 Years, he has visited as many countries as his age since turning 23, with his life and opportunities inevitably reflecting the political, economic, and social changes of the times in which he has lived.
Perhaps the most important journey of Peter’s life was one that he did not undertake himself, but rather was made by his father, Albert, who fled Nazi persecution in 1939 (partly at the suggestion of a friend in the Gestapo) and, penniless, made his way to England via Sweden. It would seem that adventure was pre-programmed in the family genes.
An education at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hampstead school included fellow pupils such as former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, media magnate Martin Sorrell, and renowned historian Simon Schama, Peter went on to achieve a combined honors degree in sociology and law at Exeter University.
After his initial burst of globe-trotting, Peter joined IBM in a marketing support function before being promoted, at the age of 26, to manager of marketing practices. After four years there, he applied to the INSAD business school in Fontainebleau, France to study for a MBA, a decision he has never regretted.
Never assume that you are individually or corporately invulnerable
After graduation, Peter secured a position with Bendix Corporation Home Systems Division, based in Paris, where he travelled around Europe as assistant to the European vice-president, as well as head of Personnel. But the company was severely hit by the oil crisis of the mid 70s and Peter’s role required him to agree termination packages for all its leading staff throughout Europe, including himself. As Peter says, “Never assume that you are individually or corporately invulnerable.”
Peter was to be off on his travels again, this time to Algeria, working in the oil and gas industry, and on his return, he joined with Dr Anna Mann to form a headhunting company that was to lead to an involvement in executive search that lasted for 37 years. He practiced with several different search firms until 1998 when he was appointed full-time president of the Association of Executive Search Consultants.
On first arriving in New York in 1981 Peter had joined the British–American Chamber of Commerce, and before long had become a Director and then President. His contribution there over 12 years was recognised in 1992 with the receipt of a CBE for his contribution to British commercial interests overseas.
The Donald Trump experience
Peter also got to see how Donald Trump operated, describing how he sat next to Princess Margaret at a Chamber function, with “le Donald” on the other side. “With his arm around the back of her chair (decidedly not done), and looking into her eyes, he said, ‘Princess, you have the most beautiful eyes. My mother, who is Scottish, is beside herself tonight knowing that I’m here with you.’”
One of the lesser-known attributes of his CBE was that it entitled Peter to marry in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. So in June 1993 June and he were married there joined by friends from around the world.
June has had her own brilliant career, becoming one of the first women of Chinese heritage to be appointed CEO of one of the 120 largest British companies. Peter has been fully supportive of her journey, and in 1994 and again in 2014, he resigned his post in the United States to move to Hong Kong and eventually London for her work. In a last gesture to the U.S, Peter traded in his green card and became an American citizen.
And, finally, back to the U.S. …
After another busy period in the British capital, he and June, who unfortunately developed some health issues, have since moved to Miami to enjoy a quieter life. Certainly that is something they each deserve – you can be sure that they will make the most of all the free time they have!”