Interview - Hugh O’Boyle, Co-owner Jobo Developments company

Who is he? Co-owner, with Caroline Jones of fi ve pubs serving food under the Jobo Developments company. Their fi rst, The Birdcage, opened in Stoke Newington in 2001 and they have opened nearly one a year since, most recently The Three Crowns, also in Stoke Newington, which O'Boyle terms as their "fi rst gastropub".

How did he get into the industry? He went to catering college and then trained as a chef at The Ritz before moving to Le Caprice. O'Boyle then set up a catering company for private dinner parties for blue chip clientele before opening his fi rst restaurant (Big Night Out)

in Primrose Hill in 1992 and then he moved into the bar business, which gave him the experience to open his fi rst pub in 2001.

How did he get started fi nancially?

"For Big Night Out we had a couple of backers but also, we had all these people who we were doing outside catering for so we said ‘We'll put you down as ‘B'

shareholders if you give us £500 and we'll give you £750 worth of dining rights'."

How much is he worth? Jobo Developments has a £4m turnover.

Best piece of advice he's been given? "If you're that good why the hell don't you do it yourself"

from Vince Power.

Who do you admire in the industry? "Again, I'd say people like Vince Power with no background who become the best in their fi eld."

Most important thing he's learnt? "Anything's possible. It really is 99 per cent perspiration and one per cent inspiration."

Biggest mistake he's ever made? "When we signed to take Big Night Out the site was too small. If a restaurant has less than 65 covers and if there are partners there won't be enough return on your investment."

Future plans? To open another gastropub in the next two months – the Clissold Arms in Muswell Hill – with about 150 covers.