Interview: Stewart Cusden
Our latest interview is with the Chairman of the British Benevolent Fund in Madrid, Stewart Cusden. If you’d like to be featured, click the link after the article. In the meantime, it’s over to Stewart. Enjoy!
Stewart CusdenYour full name (required) Stewart Cusden
When did you move to Spain, and where from?
I moved to Madrid, Spain in 1996 from Brussels, Belgium after several international assignments
Who came with you?
My wife Sylvie who is from Belgium
promotionalWhere in Spain do you live now?
Just north of Madrid in an urbanisation called Ciudad Santo Domingo
What things (apart from loved ones) do you miss from your country of birth?
Very little after 20 years and many British products are available in Spain now. Of course older friends and English pubs.
Do you work? As what?
No officially retired now after a career in the oil industry but the work of the British Benevolent Fund keeps me busy
How are you with speaking Spanish?
I am not a natural linguist but enjoyed learning Spanish. A typical lazy English man only speaks Spanish when he has to!
If you could change anything about Spain… what would that be? And why?
The queues in the banks!
What are the best things about living in Spain?
Of course Spain has everything by way of climate, culture, history and a variety of vegetation. It is also rather more relaxed than the UK and an easier place to live than the UK.
What are your favourite Spanish dishes?
Not sure I have one other than the great range of fish available in Madrid.
What is the predominant nationality of your friends in Spain?
They are very international and the area where we live has many Spanish but also from many other European countries
If you won the Euromilliones – would you still live where you currently are? Why / why not?
Of course I would stay in Spain! This is my home.
If a movie was made about your life – who would play you? Why?
Whichever actor was willing and available to take the part!
If you had to describe yourself as a cocktail… what would you be, and why?
Interesting question! Rather than cocktails I prefer some of the special wines from the Toro and Bierzo regions in Spain
Right – now is the chance to tell us all about your business/website/blog if you have one (or more of course).
www.britishbenevolentfund.org
A charity for British people in distress in Spain. The British Benevolent Fund (BBF) goes back to 1933 in Madrid and for many years was run under the auspices of the British Embassy helping people in the Madrid area only. Since the beginning of 2016 the BBF has been a registered charity and during 2016 over 40 British people were helped and €35,000 distributed through grants to individuals. People that need help come to the BBF through the many partner charities and British Consulates throughout Spain.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
February 7, 2018 @ 11:04 am
Well done Stewart, a good “virtual” interview, that should help to raise the profile of the BBF amongst British people in Spain. Must share one if your favourite wines with you soon!
February 9, 2018 @ 12:33 am
If we were to add up all the help the Ben Fund has handed out over the nearly 100 years of its existence, it probably reaches 6 figures. Pre and post EU it has an important role to play for our fellow citizens in distress. Well down Stewart for keeping this important institution going!! Readers please support the work of the British Benevolent Fund of Madrid.