What was your first-ever job? I was a porter at a small country hotel in Hertfordshire. There were few guests who needed help with their bags so I read a lot of Dickens and got pretty good at darts.
What’s been your worst job interview? I went for an interview at the BBC and realised within 10 minutes that I was completely unprepared and unsuitable for a life at Broadcasting House.
What was the first music single you bought? Far, Far Away by Slade. I’ve moved on.
How do you describe your job to your mates? To my mates I say that I work in the world of brand design and development. To my kids I say that I make stuff up.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing new products and packaging on a supermarket shelf that I know my business has had a real hand in developing.
What’s the least rewarding part? Listening back to hours of focus group tapes making sure I don’t miss that sparky, incisive consumer insight.
What’s your motto in life? I don’t have a motto, but my attitude is built on always believing I can do something.
What’s your nickname? I was ‘Blythey’ on the cricket field (unimaginative team-mates).
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? The ability to dunk a basketball.
What’s your favourite movie? Why? Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid - beautifully written and perfectly acted.
What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life? I bad-mouthed a client to a colleague as the doors closed on a lift after a tortuous meeting only for them to re-open to reveal the man, who joined us on our journey down. Awkward silence.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be? Why? Daley Thompson would inject the kind of ‘anything is possible’ spirit and work ethic every business needs.
If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? The imperialistic dominance of Tesco. Oh… that appears to be changing anyway.
What luxury would you have on your desert island? A hoop, a ball and enough hard top to bounce it on.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? A goat. Stubborn, persistent and unexpectedly athletic.
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