The boss of a smoke control company was given a surprise opportunity to meet up with US president Barack Obama on the fringes of the G20 summit in London this week.
Allan Meek of Cardiff based Smoke Control Services was invited at short notice to attend the American School in London, where Mr Obama gave a speech about the US-UK relationship and the importance of children as the future.
The latter is a sentiment Mr Meek echoes, as it was his own daughter who provided him with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A chance encounter with a White House staffer she sold sunglasses to during her shift at Selfridges the previous day led to 20-year-old Rosie Meek being given two tickets to the exclusive event.
Rosie, who has appeared recently in the Channel 4 programme, Shipwrecked, contacted her father straight away. He jumped at the chance to accompany her to the event, which took place less than an hour after the presidential helicopter, Marine One, touched down at the US Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, about a mile from the school in St Johns Wood.
“It was like something out of Goodfellas with all the secret service men in suits running around talking into their walkie talkies!” said Mr Meek. “It was a real privilege to meet such an inspiring man and his wife, who is even more beautiful in the flesh. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to talk to him about the smoke control systems they use in the White House. Maybe I’ll save that for our next meeting!
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