Robin Sheppard had always seemed liked a lucky guy! Proud father of two
sons: Sam the eldest (the musical/wordy one) and Charlie (the
artistic/sporty one). Still good friends with his first wife Georgina
and partnered by the effervescent and indomitable Suzanne when his
hitherto contented life took a different turn.
He had bounded through 50 years of an unfettered existence. A universe
largely comprising five star hotels set in manicured gardens, with fine
wines and outrageous flower arrangements, separating well-heeled
customers in which the 'anticipation of need' was paramount.
After growing up in Bath he had become an hotelier who delighted in
operating some of the very best of Britain's hotels, winning hotel of
the year prizes along the way, before founding with some like-minded
chums, their own specialist hotel operating group.
Ending up in London he presided over an empire of a dozen or so
glamorous hotels which featured architecture of the grade one variety,
decadent décor, period fixtures in Capability parkland surroundings, and
food of the highest standard.
His was an untroubled workplace. Taking time out along the way to invent
the truly iconic, deep blue, skittle shaped, Ty-Nant mineral water and
then a niche adult soft drinks business. He became an entrepreneur
without even knowing it and a role model for many a novice hotel student
along the way.
Then things changed.
