What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your career?
From the early stages of my career I had to remind myself to not let managing directors and senior personnel “grind me down”, be confident about what I believe in and stick to it.
What is the strangest situation you have had to deal with at work?
Dealing with a strike in Nigeria, I had to negotiate with the police in order to get three employees released.
If you had three wishes to change your company, what would they be?
For UniSource to be recognised as a leading HR solutions company, embracing the latest IT solutions to take HR into the next decade and to have some fun whilst doing it.
You are stranded on a desert island with enough food for only two people. Who would you choose as your companion and why?
My wife – she has always wanted to go to the Caribbean.
What is the best thing about working in HR?
The variety. You never know from day to day what you will come across next.
What is the worst?
Up-dating personnel procedures.
What has been your most embarrassing moment at work?
I have a huge fear of heights, so having to climb up a rope ladder on the side of a huge oil tanker in Angola, in full view of everyone on the deck, including the marine superintendent (who had to egg me on) has got to be one of the worst.
If you could adopt the management style of an historical character, whose would you adopt and why?
President Truman, he was humble and sympathetic and widely recognised as being the best.
How do you get to work?
Walk. I have an office in my house.
What would you do if you had more spare time?
Play more golf, I need to get my handicap down.
Describe a perfect weekend
Relaxing with a pint and friends watching the cricket.
What is your greatest strength?
Resilience, I have had to bounce back many times.
What is your least appealing characteristic?
Impatience.
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If you were to write a book, which subject would you choose to write about?
It would have to be on the history of Chelsea Football Club.
