Former documentary maker, scriptwriter and producer who set up V Management seven years ago
GEARBOX
1 This wine was from the Italian vineyard where Anna and I got married in 2002. Friends bought us a case, the plan being to have a bottle each anniversary. But 2002 was a terrible year for Chianti and it’s undrinkable. We still have 10 bottles!
2 My passion for cars came from my father Bill. Here he is in 1961 with his Aston Martin DB3S in which he regularly competed. Over 50 years later I sat in the very same car at Rétromobile in Paris.
3 Rendez-Vous Riviera has been a big step for me over the past couple of years The main event is a boutique concours at the Saint-Tropez Polo Club, but it’s just as much about getting there – hence the creation of the Derek Bell Tour.
4 I am passionate about tours, and enjoy the creativity of curating these exclusive and memorable experiences. Our tours are highly social – the driving is important but, at the end of the day, they’re as much about people as they are about cars.
5 I love poker. My sister Elizabeth gave me my first set 20 years ago and it goes with me on all our tours. The cards are originals from The Mirage in Vegas.
6 I also love music, but sadly it doesn’t love me. I was always drawn to the bass, so I finally bought one 15 years ago. I play along to everything from Steely Dan to Arctic Monkeys. It enhances the listening experience but there’s no escaping it – 15 years later and I’m still crap.
7 I was at school in Eastbourne with Eddie Izzard and we did a show, Fringe Flung Lunch, at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1981. I was 17. It marked the end of my perf
