GT – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
Like most marketing professionals I would have to say the variety of work that I undertake. No two days are ever the same and having the extra dimension of being on the Board and part of the Senior Management Team means I get involved in far wider commercial challenges and decision making.
GT – Who’s inspired you most in your career?
My Dad. From a very humble background he worked hard enough and smart enough to set up his own business aged 30 and ran it successfully for 40 years. He proved to me that you can achieve anything in business if you are prepared to work at it and have the selfbelief without any hint of arrogance.
GT – If you were an item in a supermarket, what would you be?
Being a proud Lancastrian, I’d have to say Hot Pot (plus that was my nickname at University!)
GT – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?
Everything. Find a career with a final salary pension!
GT -What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work?
Clicking on the ‘reply all’ button to an email when I used to work and share an office with my (future) wife…
GT -Who or what makes you laugh?
My all time hero is Rowan Atkinson (but more Blackadder than Mr Bean). I go to a lot of stand-up and the standouts for me recently have been Jason Byrne, Simon Evans, Tom Stade, Lee Mack and Dara O’Briain.
GT – Do you have any hidden talents?
I can juggle.
GT -Who would be your favourite party guest?
Either Lord Peter Hennessy (the guy has a brain the size of a planet) or Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
GT -What is the greatest luxury in your life?
That’s easy. We have a TV at the end of the bath in our en-suite bathroom.
GT -What is your favourite guilty pleasure?
Red Wine!
GT – Do you have any secret ambitions?
To climb Everest (although to date I’ve not even done Ben Nevis.)
GT -What’s your dream holiday destination?
The Maldives. My favourite City Break would be Seville.
GT – What are your three favourite movies of all time?
Midnight Run (Robert de Nero and Charles Grodin are my two favourite actors), Airplane and Angel Heart.
GT -What is your favourite book of all time?
I am currently reading Henry Kissinger’s autobiography (seriously!), which is fascinating but the book that I simply couldn’t put down was something called The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
GT -What’s your favourite pastime?
Having a bath (see above).
GT – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?
I am a huge Rugby League fan. If I won the Lottery I would buy Widnes Vikings.
GT – What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into this industry?
I have spent most of my career in retail and I would say the most valuable experience I ever gained was working on the shop floor as a postgraduate. You simply learn the hard way and the knowledge I gained then (nearly 30 years ago) has stayed with me throughout. So go and work in stores as soon as you can before you have to sit at a desk and a PC.
CJ RETAIL SOLUTIONS
CJ Retail Solutions was created in 1995 to provide a dedicated, superior quality point of sale installation and maintenance service. CJRS rapidly established a reputation for efficiency and dependability across their range of in-store services and due to client demand expanded their work into the full mix of retail solutions and field marketing services.
The business has grown exponentially and now delivers a complete range of retail marketing solutions for retailers and brands across the UK, Europe and worldwide.
To take part in Quote Unquote please call: 01923 272960 or email: mail@grocerytrader.co.uk
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