What was your first-ever job? Strawberry picking, for the worst rate ever - I’m sure it would be considered child exploitation nowadays! My first ‘proper’ job was as a teacher in Kenya.

What was the first music single you bought? ‘Wig-Wam Bam’ by Sweet.

How do you describe your job to your mates? All-encompassing, innovative, crazily busy and enormous fun.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Creating our Hopper Pot, and watching people’s reactions when they see it for the first time.

What’s the least rewarding part? Chasing people up for responses.

What’s your motto? Who dares wins - although some other group has ‘first dibs’ on that one!

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? An all-expenses-paid training session each year with an expert to learn a new skill: windsurfing, yachting, snowboarding - somewhere exotic of course.

What’s your favourite movie and why? Out of Africa. It was made while I lived in Kenya, and a lot of my friends were extras so it’s like watching a living photo album.

What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life? At a posh party quite recently, I was trying to make small talk so when a bloke mentioned that he had just bought this ‘Volvo XYZ’ model. I said “Oh, those are lovely cars” to which he looked at me in disgust and said it was actually a yacht! I should have guessed as it was a yachting party for the Olympic team. Oops!

Any phobias? Snakes - can’t bear them.

If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be? Why? Heston Blumenthal. I think with his unique, imaginative flavour combinations and high profile, combined with our fabulous quality ingredients, we could change the way people think about instant food.

If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? A proportion of shelf space to be allocated to smaller brands in every grocery store.

What luxury would you have on your desert island? My husband - who else would do the cooking and washing?

What animal best reflects your personality? Why? A lion. Outwardly relaxed but actually keeping a close eye on what’s happening, ready to act when necessary.

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