This week’s Monday Interview in the Financial Times featured investor Thor Bjorgolfsson, a self-confessed deal addict and once Iceland’s most bank­able billionaire.

Described by some as “the Icelander who played a lead role in his country’s boom and bust,” Thor made and lost a pan-European $4bn telecoms-to-banking empire in 2008. However, as noted in the title of his new book, “Billions to Bust – and Back” (2014), Thor has since re-established himself as an active player in the global market.

Thor plans to return to Russia, where he made his first $100m, and is pursuing deals “in the sectors I’ve succeeded in — telecoms or pharmaceuticals.” However, his appetite for risk is not what it was now that he has a wife and three small children. “Entrepreneurs need to spot opportunities and go all the way. If you are timid, falter or have self-doubts you won’t get there,” he says. “In youth you go further.”

Click here to read the interview in full.

For more information on how to book Thor Bjorgolfsson as a keynote speaker for your conference or event, please contact Alex Hickman at alex@chartwellspeakers.com or call 0044 (0) 20 7792 8004.