Meet the Investors

Phil Le Gal

Where are you from: Brittany, France, UK/ EU Favourite country or holiday destination: The Balkans! Or the Stans! Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: More than an investor I would like to build a new nation with a group of like minded fellows. This is to be part of such an incredible experiment. You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: DimSums. Not easy to cook on a island, but yes, DimSum
Book: Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics – Richard Thaler. Failing that the latest Playboy.
Drink: Single malt whisky, with one ice cube thanks. Again not easy to make on an island but I shall try! You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? Larry David, to lighten things up !

Gareth Johnson

Where are you from: UK Favourite country or holiday destination: Tuvalu Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: It’s my dream! You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: Raw tuna
Book: Robinson Crusoe
Drink: Jäger You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? Ricky Gervais. He would be good for morale.

Pier-André Doyon

Where are you from: Quebec Favourite country or holiday destination: The next place I haven’t been to Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: I’m never going to own a house or a car, might as well own an island. You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: Poutine Book: His Dark Material trilogy Drink: Mojito You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? Bruno Blanchet, famous in Quebec for his documentaries about travel which are both hilarious and insightful. If I can bring someone back from the dead, Anthony Bourdain, for a great party on the island, great food and the same reasons as Bruno Blanchet.

Marshall Mayer

Where are you from: Born and living in New York City Favourite country or holiday destination: Turkey for the food, Philippines for the natural beauty (and islands!) and Iceland for the people. Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: Gareth and I started Lets Buy An Island to fulfill a long-term dream we knew we shared with others to own and enjoy a private island experience! You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: If i were stranded on my own island, I would bring iskender kebap (see Turkish food: google it!)
Book: A copy of the Count of Monte Cristo (for the story, the islands, and it’s like 10,000 pages so re-reads would take forever… it’s in my only book after all)
Drink: An unlimited supply of Bowmore 15 whisky You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? I would invite Nicolas Cage – I think he’s a good actor and I don’t care what literally everyone else says.

Russell French

Where are you from: Liverpool, England Favourite country or holiday destination: Peru Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: Hoping that this all eventually plays out like lord of the flies… But with grown ups and a lot more rum. You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: Giant Yorkshire pudding filled with a lamb madras
Book: Freakconomics
Drink: Strongbow You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? I don’t believe in celebrity culture or idolise any “famous” people dead or alive. Tell them not to bother coming!

Laura Cornish

Where are you from: Boulder, Colorado USA Favourite country or holiday destination: Iceland & Bhutan Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: Because I adore Gaz and it’s an interesting concept. You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: Pizza
Book: To Kill A Mockingbird
Drink: Beer You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? Keith Richards, He’s just a cool cat

Jodie Hill

Where are you from: Lancashire, England Favourite country or holiday destination: Sri Lanka, for the food, scenery and people. Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: For the great business opportunity and to fulfil a lifetime goal. You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: Tiramisu (I am probably going to have to abandon veganism if I am stranded anyway)
Book: The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. It’s been about 20 years since I last read this, and its long!
Drink: Champagne. Oh wait, clean drinking water please! You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? Barak Obama, I have about a million things to ask him.

Etienne Daoust

Where are you from: Montreal, Canada Favourite country or holiday destination: Islandia, of course! Or anywhere with Cuban cigars. Why did you invest in let’s buy an island: I’m a Canadian and I hate the winter. So I decided to buy a tropical retreat to make my coworkers jealous! You’re stranded on your Island, you are allowed one of each of the following, what would it be? Food: Poutine with extra cheese. Every time someone forgets to order extra cheese on their poutine, an Angel loses its wings
Book: Pyongyang, by Guy Delisle
Drink: Beer! Gotta get something refreshing in a tropical paradise! Limoncello is a good alternative, though. You are allowed one famous person to visit the island for 5 days with you, who’s coming and why? Robinson Crusoe would be a great wilderness survival guide, but I should probably bring my girlfriend and baby!