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Katie McAlister, President of Cunard

• Favourite British brand? Barbour. The brand has a classic style that always feels relevant. I love how it uses collaborations and partnerships to stay modern. I’m obsessed with Ganni and I loved Barbour’s recent collaboration with the brand. Unfortunately, it sold out too quickly for me to upgrade my classic green wax to the Ganni leopard version… I did get a scarf though!

• Hero? James Bond. He is world-renowned for his style and is quintessentially British. He’s a bona fide icon.

• Weekend? I am from Northumberland, I have a house there by the sea and my perfect weekend is spent on the beach, whatever the weather. Long walks, cold swims and pub lunches on miles of unspoilt beautiful coastline.

• Meal? Fish and chips, always. Lewis’s in Seahouses, Northumberland, is a particular favourite of mine. I love to eat my meal whilst overlooking the harbour.

• Shop? Liberty. I love the aesthetic and craftsmanship in the design of the building, both inside and out, and the fact that all of the wood used was salvaged from ships. It’s iconic and the store beautifully curates the shopping experience, which is amazing! For me, Liberty is a brilliant example of how a true luxury brand showcases attention to detail.

• Undiscovered gem? Cunard has teamed up with Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh to create an exclusive gin for our new ship, Queen Anne. The Queen Anne Edition celebrates the finest botanicals from across the British Isles and uses a recipe based on an original Bombay family recipe dating from 17 July 1947. This undiscovered gem neatly demonstrates Cunard’s commitment to providing refined and contemporary experiences for our guests.

• Idiosyncrasy? The fact that a cup of tea is regarded as the soothing balm for absolutely any situation and the fact that, of course, this is true.

• Band? The Spice Girls. I came of age in the 90s in the era of girl power, and they helped me to believe I could do anything. Thank you Victoria, Emma, Geri, Mel B and Mel C.

• Car? Aston Martin. See the James Bond point above.

• Book? Anything by Thomas Hardy or Jilly Cooper. Hardy carefully narrating the relationships of those living within the limitations of class and society, and Cooper romping through them without a care. Both are a joy.

Discover more about Cunard at countryandtownhouse.com

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Win a Stay at The Swan Hotel & Spa in Newby Bridge

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