We caught up with Jordan and James Cracknell, who recently celebrated their third wedding anniversary. The two met whilst studying as mature students at Cambridge University whilst pursuing their MBAs. New Yorker Jordan had no idea James was an Olympic athlete and double gold medallist at the time, and relocated to London following her studies.
The two now live in London, sharing their home with their three dogs and James’ stepchildren, and in-between recently running for local MP and Jordan writing a charity children’s book, they love to enjoy the great outdoors and rowing together as a couple.
My car of choice
Jordan: My favourite car would have to be my Honda-E. It’s small, perfect for narrow roads and tiny parking spaces. It turns on a dime and the charge lasts forever. Plus, it’s a cheerful blue car in a sea of monochrome colours.
James: Not a car but a motorbike. The Honda RVF750R RC45 was produced as a road bike for the Superbike World Championship and was only made for a year (1994-95). I had just passed my bike test and dreamed of owning one.
My favourite holiday destination
Jordan: Watch Hill, Rhode Island. There’s a reason why Taylor Swift bought a house here – the beach and the town are magnificent. You can spend the day in the glorious ocean, then enjoy delicious ice cream and shop at fabulous boutiques.
James: Manhattan. I’ve been before but felt I missed out on the real NYC. Now, I’d have my own tour guide who lived there until she met some dodgy English fella!
My gadget I can’t live without
Jordan: It would have to be my phone. I use it for everything – keeping in contact with friends across the world, managing work, navigating with maps, setting alarms, and more.
James: Glasses. They’ve literally changed the way I see the world over the past year.
My go-to fashion brand
Jordan: Prada. It consistently offers timeless clothing and accessories. Their minimalism and clean lines provide great versatility, making their pieces timeless investments despite the cost.
James: G-Star Raw. Maybe I’m built like a Dutch bloke, but their clothes fit well and I think the style suits me.
My airline of choice
Jordan Cracknell: JetBlue. They are fun and funky, flying to a variety of places in the States, even from London. Plus, they offer blue potato chips, which is a charming gimmick.
James Cracknell: Air New Zealand. They were amazing throughout a very long journey.
My favourite watch brand
Jordan: I would choose a Cartier Tank watch. It’s a classic, high-quality accessory worn by icons like Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana. It’s both elegant and durable.
James: G-Shock. It’s brilliant, unbreakable, and not likely to attract unwanted attention.
My favourite restaurant
Jordan: John’s of 12th Street in New York. It has great, friendly staff, comfy tables, and hearty portions that don’t break the bank. Their garlic bread is simply perfection.
James: Half Moon Café, Fulham Palace Road. You’ll see why when you visit.
My guilty pleasure
Jordan: French fries with mayo. It’s an indulgent treat that’s so delicious. A really good French fry with mayo is hard to beat.
James: Half Moon Café.
My favourite way to give back
Jordan: I’m passionate about inspiring more women to get into finance. My children’s book, You Can Count on Penny, features a little fox who chases her dreams, serving as a role model for young girls. All proceeds go to Education and Employers, with the vision of providing children with inspiration
James: I’m vice president of Headway, the brain injury association. The work the charity and its volunteers do for individuals and their families is invaluable and deeply rewarding.
