What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your career?
To achieve a healthy balance between work and play.
What is the strangest situation you have had to deal with at work?
Many years ago in my first HR role, an employee was late for a disciplinary meeting to discuss his persistent lateness, and gave for his excuse that his digital watch had been struck by lightning.
Imagine being stranded on a desert island with enough food for only two people. Who would you choose as your companion and why?
My partner, Julie, or someone famous so that we were rescued quickly!
If you had three wishes to change your company, what would they be?
That’s difficult because I’d like to think that if there were three wishes we’d already have started making the changes.
What is the best thing about working in HR?
The opportunity to make a substantial impact on the success of customers and partners, the people working within the business, and the business itself.
What is the worst?
Dealing with people who stubbornly refuse to see the value that HR can add.
You have stumbled upon a time machine hidden in the vaults of your company building. What time period would you visit and why?
Fifty years into the future so that I could come back and play my part in re-shaping it to be a better place.
If you could adopt the management style of an historical character, whose would you adopt and why?
Winston Churchill for his charismatic leadership, quick wit, and total determination.
How do you get to work?
Either by walking into my study at home or by car into my work office.
What would you do if you had more spare time?
More exercise, and some time doing absolutely nothing.
If you were to write a book, which subject would you choose to write about?
Time travel.
What is your greatest strength?
Being me and not trying to be someone I’m not.
What is your least appealing characteristic?
A very short attention span.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
What is the greatest risk you ever took?
Taking Coram Curve at Snetterton Race Track flat out in my race car – and crashing at 120mph (my hobby is motor racing.
