Whilst at university aged 19 he set himself up as a freelance reporter on the Spanish Civil War.
During World War II he served as a Major in the Anti-Aircraft Command, a part of the army.
After the war he was set the task of reorganising German newspaper and publishing industries in the British occupation zone of Germany.
He was responsible for the launch of Die Welt choosing Axel Springer as its publisher.
Within three years he had doubled the size of United acquiring of Yorkshire Post Newspapers and Punch magazine.