What was your first-ever job? Taking crude oil samples off oil tankers in the Black Sea in Southern Russia. Aged 18 and speaking no Russian, I arrived a week before the ‘98 crisis. It was mayhem.
What’s been your worst job interview? Desperate for job interview practice, I got a spot on the First Group graduate interview weekend (complete with abysmal team-leading ‘games’). I struggled to answer why I wanted to work there.
What was the first music single you bought? She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals.
How do you describe your job to your mates? Working with Rohan Marley to produce an amazing range of organic coffees with 10% of profits going to the Kicks for Cause Foundation.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Joining forces with charities, Crisis and Switchback, to help local young people excluded from the labour market back into the workplace to re-skill.
What’s the least rewarding part? The paperwork. A necessary, never-ending evil.
What’s your nickname? Not telling. I didn’t choose it.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Having several clones I could leave in the office when I wanted to take a break.
What’s your favourite movie and why? Withnail & I. It’s still hilarious.
What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Having unavoidable tummy trouble in front of a coachload of Japanese tourists in a rainstorm in the Masai Mara in Kenya. I’m not sure if it was worse for them or me.
Any phobias? Horseflies. That’s not really a phobia is it? They’re evil.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be? Why? It’s got to be Usain Bolt. He could be our runner!
If you could change one thing in the grocery industry what would it be? Coffee quality in supermarkets. Must try harder…
What luxury would you have on your desert island? Airdropping of the Sunday papers and a flask of good filter coffee. One doesn’t feel right without the other.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? A dam-making beaver - hardworking and relentless.
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