We’re sitting in John’s retro, American diner style kitchen at his house in Notting Hill, a fitting location for someone so delightfully casual and at ease. I’ve met John a couple of times, so I am fairly prepared for a down-to-earth session. He’s a people person, a character trait that has probably supported his success in equal measure to talent and a man probably more content jamming with mates in his basement studio than strutting the boardroom. Renowned for creating exciting living experiences in partnership with Philippe Starck and Jade Jagger, his new venture Green Shoots aims to offer value added design to first time buyers.