Michel Prada is disarmingly apologetic about his perfect accent when he speaks English: 'If I have a hint of an American accent it is because I am very fond of Westerns.' In fact, Prada, the chairman of the Commission des Opérations de Bourse, the French market regulator, speaks flawless English, artfully littered with anecdotes, proverbs, and a dash of Latin. A perfectionist who hides it very well, he still takes lessons.

'It is more difficult to have a correct accent when you start too late. You feel you might be ridiculous with your pronunciation. It is very difficult at my age to be free and not feel ridiculous. It is the same with my cello playing - I started too late.'