We dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Square Mile tailor Neil McCann tells us about his career, style and the scourge of the gilet in this week’s Square Mile and Me

CV

• Name: Neil McCann
• Title: Owner and founder at McCann Bespoke
• Previous roles: Door to door suit salesman
• Age: 50
• Born: December 23 1974
• Lives: Matching Green, Essex
• Studied: Reading University 1993-1996
• Talents: Sport, relationships and family man
• Motto: “Never give up and keep going, it always get better”
• Biggest perk of the job: Meeting wonderful people, some of whom call me a good friend
• Coffee order: Americano with oat milk
• Cocktail order: Negroni
• Favourite book: Red Notice by Bill Browder

What was your first job?

Working in my mother’s hotel washing dishes at the age of 11.

What was your first role in the City or world of business?

Selling business finance to small and medium sized businesses. After that I decided to sell tailored suits and shirts door to door in 2002, then operating out of a garage in Balham.

When did you know you wanted to build a career as a tailor?

Honestly, it started with the realisation that I didn’t want to spend my working life behind a desk, I think I have ADHD. I did it for six months and knew I couldn’t do it anymore, it was soul destroying for me. I knew I wanted to do something that I truly had a passion for, something hands on, creative and personal. As I found my way into tailoring, I began meeting some incredible people who completely shifted my perspective. I saw that I could make a real........

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