Property companies have been hard hit by the financial crisis and few want to talk about it. But Tony Mann, owner of the Oceana Group, opens up to Peter Jackson about his company's struggles, the mistakes that were made and the prospects for the future.

The Questionnaire

What car do you drive?
Passat V5

What’s your favourite restaurant?
Red Mezze in Newcastle

Who or what makes you laugh?
Current political leaders and good honest humour

What’s your favourite book?
A paying-in book

What was the last album you bought?
”Sounds of Ellington” - Duke Ellington

What’s your ideal job, other than the one you’ve got?
Being a footballer - three hours work a week for £2.5m earnings per annum

If you had a talking parrot, what’s the first thing you would teach it to say?
”…mind my bike”

What’s your greatest fear?
Not being able to get to the bar when last orders are called

What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever received?
”Go for it! Better to have tried and lost than never to have tried at all”

And the worst?
”That will never work”

What’s your poison?
A pint of real ale (Black Sheep, Landlord, Workie Ticket etc, etc)

What newspapers do you read, other than The Journal?
The Times and Financial Times

How much was your first pay packet and what was it for?
£6 per week in advertising

How do you keep fit?
Plenty of walking

What’s your most irritating habit?
Obstinacy

What’s your biggest extravagance?
Quality champagne

Which historical or fictional character do you most admire?
Sir Winston Churchill

Which four famous people would you most like to dine with?
Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Sammy Davis Jr and Sir Alf Ramsey

How would you like to be remembered?
...as one who tried his best!