Toby is a Jewish art collector, traveller and alpinist. ‘I certainly think I am an optimist and a believer in progress. I’d have to agree with (Hannah Arendt’s contention) that terrible things have happened and continue to happen, so in that respect it’s hard to be optimistic. But I do think that society has continued to get better for most people.’

‘Authenticity means being true to yourself, and I think Hannah Arendt was consistent. She had her own distinctive voice. She lived through the darkest period of human history and however bad things are now, there is nothing going on in the world today that is comparable in scale and intent to the Holocaust. That’s not a reason to be complacent, but in comparison with the 1930s and 40s, I think the world is a much better place.’

‘Perhaps being authentic when you are older is easier, because when you’re younger, you’re more insecure about yourself. As I have got older, I have become more comfortable in my own skin.’