What was your first-ever job? Waiter in a hotel in my home town of Abergavenny. I accidentally dropped two chilli-laden jacket potatoes into a customer’s bag.

What’s been your worst job interview? When I was a student I applied for a job driving an ice cream van. I had to stop the interviewer and tell them it wasn’t for me.

What was the first music single you bought? Europe - The Final Countdown. Don’t judge me too harshly.

How do you describe your job to your mates? I run pubs and restaurants for award-winning brewer Bath Ales.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Either seeing a new site full of happy customers drinking our ale or watching one of our team really starting to flourish.

What is the least rewarding part? Dealing with poor supplier service and reading lazy CVs.

If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Complimentary first-class travel to and meals at Michelin 3 restaurants. I love great meals at amazing restaurants. Food and service at that level is an art form.

What’s your favourite movie? Goodfellas - it’s all about the meatballs. I love the way most of the supporting cast later appear in The Sopranos.

What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Accidentally punching a 55-year-old waitress in the face during a college banquet. I was gesturing to someone across the table and didn’t see her coming in behind me with the soup.

Do you have any phobias? Heights

Which celebrity would you pick to join your staff? It would have to be Stephen Fry, employed as a kitchen porter - he’s always getting invited to people’s dream dinner parties. It’s about time he did some washing up.

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Consumer choice being restricted by homogenous brands. Waitrose is doing such a great job of finding interesting products.

What luxury would you have on your desert island? A Josper charcoal oven. There is no finer way of cooking meat and fish, and if it all got too much I could handle my own cremation.

What animal best reflects your personality and why? King Penguin - stoic with an unhealthy appetite for fish.

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