Vernon Sankey was born in France and educated in the UK. He graduated in Modern Languages at Oriel College, Oxford. He went straight from university into industry and spent the next 28 years in various countries, culminating as chief executive of a major international corporation in the UK. He then became a non-executive director and chairman of several large and small international companies, and is still active in this field today. During this time he has also lectured on leadership and motivation at universities, schools and conferences. In 1999 he co-founded a coaching and mentoring company where he further developed his knowledge of cognitive psychology to help mentor business executives as well as people in all walks of life. The Stairway to Happiness is the product of this learning. Vernon is married with four children and five grandchildren. He lives in Berkshire.