GT – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
It’s exciting to see an idea for a new product come to life with the finished product. I get such a buzz when retailers decide they want to put it on their shelves and I love seeing the positive reaction from our consumers. Social media is a fantastic way of seeing what people think of our products, we love seeing pictures coming through of people enjoying the Stoats range for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
GT – Who’s inspired you most in your career?
I’d say my mum, she didn’t laugh when I said I wanted to start up a porridge company and reassured me by saying ‘you’ll make it work’ when things got tough.
GT – If you were an item in a supermarket, what would you be?
The bag for life – versatile, good value and helpful.
GT – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?
I don’t think I’d do much differently – I’ve made some mistakes along the way but I’ve learnt a lot from them.
GT -What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work?
In the early days we had to move our porridge bar around the country… there were some pretty embarrassing reversing manoeuvres pulled… oh, and I tipped our porridge bar onto its side in Edinburgh’s city centre during Monday morning rush hour.
GT -Who or what makes you laugh?
My fiancée Olivia is pretty funny.
GT – Do you have any hidden talents?
I have an electric drum kit in the attic… so a quiet, hidden talent.
GT -Who would be your favourite party guest?
Michael Parkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Phil Tuffnel, Lee Mack and Will Smith.
GT -What is the greatest luxury in your life?
After spending time in London on the tube at rush hour, I’ve realised that this is being able to walk to and from work.
GT -What is your favourite guilty pleasure?
John Mayer.
GT – Do you have any secret ambitions?
To produce an album.
GT -What’s your dream holiday destination?
Mauritius.
GT – What are your three favourite movies of all time?
Good Will Hunting, Rain man and The Usual Suspects.
GT -What is your favourite book of all time?
A big boy did it and ran away, Christopher Brookmyre.
GT -What’s your favourite pastime?
Cooking, surfing, and pottering about in the garden.
GT – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?
Invest in an amazing porridge company.
GT – What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into this industry?
Research, plan, innovate, keep knocking, listen and evolve.
STOATS Stoats is a Scottish company that specialises in oats. Established in 2005 by Tony Stone and Bob Arnott, Stoats provides good quality oat products which are nutritionally rich, convenient and help satisfy hunger at all points in the day. All Stoats products are made from a unique blend of premium Scottish oats, and only ever combined with the best natural ingredients. Further information on Stoats products can be found at www.eatstoats.com.
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