Peter Johnson is one of 150 business leaders interviewed in a new book, The Secrets of CEOs.

The book explores the highs and lows of business leadership, from the interviews of 150 current and past chief executives.

Johnson, who headed Inchcape from 1999 to 2006 and is still chairman until he leaves in January 2009, admits: "My wife has put up with God knows what. I was on a plane all the time, I was just never there.

"I once went to Australia twice in a week. I was on a plane to Japan three times in one month. Every Sunday night I was heading to airports and every Saturday morning I was arriving back at 5 a.m."

His solution? "I made a deal with her and said I am going to stop when I am 60."