First record?
As an ‘80s boy through and through it could only have been an Adam and the Ants album ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ which I bought whilst on a school trip in France. I still have it in the loft but nothing to play it on as it’s vinyl.
The book you always wanted to read?
‘Stalingrad’ by Antony Beevor. I get about halfway through this every year whilst on my summer holidays but then never finish it off when I get back home.
Consequently I then have to start all over again the following year as I have forgotten some of the key bits as well as usually losing my place. Hence why everything else I read now is via Kindle and not in paper format as it stops you having bookmarks falling out in your luggage!
Favourite TV show?
Top Gear. I love the sarcasm and banter (reminds me of the fun we have at work!), although most of the cars they test are well out of my league!
Last trip to the cinema/theatre?
‘Phantom of the Opera’ at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. This was the second time I have seen it but still absolutely fantastic. The last film I saw was ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists’ with my youngest son, Tom. Totally forgettable but at least Tom and I had a laugh together!
Most treasured possession?
My children would say this is a close call between my car, my iPad and my iPhone. I’m rarely seen without both of the latter (how else could I tweet!?) but I do try to minimise the use of my car for shorter journeys by cycling and running/walking more. For longer journeys I tend to use the train so I can make full use of my iPad!
Dream holiday?
My dream holiday would be to return to Australia. My sister-in-law lives there and we have been to see her once already. I was blown away by the whole approach to life as well as the amazing scenery. What makes it so good? A combination of a very laid back approach to life, the lack of a class-based system, fantastic weather, great beaches and countryside, the
feeling of space and freedom as well as a very honest and direct way of just getting things done.
Recommend a current book/record
A record I love at the moment is ‘Next to Me’ by Emeli Sandé: she has an absolutely fantastic voice. I’m just relieved you didn’t ask what was on my running playlist!
My recommended book is a few years old but still really relevant, as are his subsequent ones too: ‘SUMO (Shut Up Move On)’ by Paul McGee. This really helped us to be clear about the
changes we needed to make across the organisation and it subsequently underpinned the shift in mindset and approach across the Trust. Paul delivered a session at our first Employee Conference in 2006 and it had a huge impact. So much so that it is still referred to six years on.
First record?
As an ‘80s boy through and through it could only have been an Adam and the Ants album ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ which I bought whilst on a school trip in France. I still have it in the loft but nothing to play it on as it’s vinyl.
The book you always wanted to read?
‘Stalingrad’ by Antony Beevor. I get about halfway through this every year whilst on my summer holidays but then never finish it off when I get back home.
Consequently I then have to start all over again the following year as I have forgotten some of the key bits as well as usually losing my place. Hence why everything else I read now is via Kindle and not in paper format as it stops you having bookmarks falling out in your luggage!
Favourite TV show?
Top Gear. I love the sarcasm and banter (reminds me of the fun we have at work!), although most of the cars they test are well out of my league!
Last trip to the cinema/theatre?
‘Phantom of the Opera’ at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. This was the second time I have seen it but still absolutely fantastic. The last film I saw was ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists’ with my youngest son, Tom. Totally forgettable but at least Tom and I had a laugh together!
Most treasured possession?
My children would say this is a close call between my car, my iPad and my iPhone. I’m rarely seen without both of the latter (how else could I tweet!?) but I do try to minimise the use of my car for shorter journeys by cycling and running/walking more. For longer journeys I tend to use the train so I can make full use of my iPad!
Dream holiday?
My dream holiday would be to return to Australia. My sister-in-law lives there and we have been to see her once already. I was blown away by the whole approach to life as well as the amazing scenery. What makes it so good? A combination of a very laid back approach to life, the lack of a class-based system, fantastic weather, great beaches and countryside, the
feeling of space and freedom as well as a very honest and direct way of just getting things done.
Recommend a current book/record
A record I love at the moment is ‘Next to Me’ by Emeli Sandé: she has an absolutely fantastic voice. I’m just relieved you didn’t ask what was on my running playlist!
My recommended book is a few years old but still really relevant, as are his subsequent ones too: ‘SUMO (Shut Up Move On)’ by Paul McGee. This really helped us to be clear about the
changes we needed to make across the organisation and it subsequently underpinned the shift in mindset and approach across the Trust. Paul delivered a session at our first Employee Conference in 2006 and it had a huge impact. So much so that it is still referred to six years on.