In the lead-up to the email I never wanted to send, I had some very frank and honest conversations with some of the people closest to me.

One of those people started an email reply with something like: "I don't mean to be unkind...". This was then followed with some very honest and frank feedback on several aspects of what we were aiming to do as a business and what I had been doing over the last 20 years.

Some of the comments and observations were seen as quite harsh or brutal by Sophie, but I did not see it that way. I appreciated the opportunity to have honest hard conversations.

In hindsight, and when thinking about my relationships with my two daughters, I realised the lens through which I viewed the conversation and remarks was one of trust. Trusting that the person on the other end only had my best interests in mind.

And so it needs to be with our children. As parents we sometimes have to have difficult conversations with them, as we try and guide them through the decisions they are making early in life.

I realise my daughters will only pay attention to any of the guidance or advice I give them, if they fully trust and understand that I only have their best interests at heart. And it is my responsibility to make sure they feel that trust.