The final account

“It was hot at first, like a walk in the park, but then it got colder and started snowing. It was well below freezing and I was wearing five layers but at the same time getting a sunburnt face.” This is the harrowing account of Stewart Foster’s climb to summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. He emerged from the nine-day hike with cold sores and blisters, but happy in the knowledge he’d raised £2,500 for charity WelCare.

Foster, managing director of M&E consulting at Adeo, the QS and PM firm, celebrated his safe return with a bottle of brandy. “I had meant to drink it when I got to the top but the altitude sickness makes you feel so nauseous that I really didn’t fancy it,” he confessed.

The sickness also made his head swell slightly and left him with headaches that made it difficult to sleep. But he doesn’t regret a moment of the experience. “When you get to the summit there’s a great feeling of elation, it’s such an achievement,” he said.

Well at least it’s not Slough

After we revealed an office move by giant Gardiner & Theobald last week, news reaches us of further upheaval in store at rival F+A. Some staffers based in the London HQ, Sea Containers House – complete with its crowning gold orbs – no doubt appreciate their location. They can enjoy a stunning view of the Thames and stroll along the arts and cultural hub that is the South Bank. Even more crucially it’s within yards of the new premises of no less a magazine than yours truly, QS News. In the interest of improving “synergies” with the firm’s new parent, however, certain members of F+A have been told they are relocating to Mott’s HQ (was it something we said?). Unfortunately for them this is in Croydon. Chin up chaps, at least it’ll be good for Christmas shopping.