What was your first job? Shovelling coal dust at Scunthorpe Steel Works as a summer job while I was at university. The coal dust stuck to your skin so I spent eight weeks of my life looking like a teenage emo with big black eyes!

What’s been your worst job interview? I once went for a job at Kraft UK. I managed to forget the interviewer’s name twice and then proceeded to offer him advice on his latest campaign. For some reason, I didn’t get called back.

What was the first single you bought? Jump by Van Halen. I drove my mum potty full volume, jumping on the furniture playing air guitar.

How do you describe your job to your mates? I get to talk all day about great farming and great food. I lead a team that communicates the values of quality assured food to farmers, the food supply chain and consumers. We also encourage retailers and branded manufacturers to use our logo.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?Working with a passionate bunch of people in one of the best industries in the world has to be top of the list, but also walking around a supermarket and seeing the Red Tractor logo on everything from fresh meat to beer. Going on the weekly shop drives the wife crazy - then I remind her about her and clothes shopping!

And the least rewarding? Dealing with organisations that seem intent on damaging the industry I’m passionate about.

What’s your motto in life? Nothing ever happens until you talk to people.

What’s your nickname? Slim - not the most flattering of nicknames, or the most accurate.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A helicopter so I could avoid the daily train commute into London.

What’s your favourite film and why? Star Wars - it was the first one I ever went to see at the cinema and I wanted one of those lightsabers.

Any phobias? Bananas. It comes from school dinners and being made to eat bananas and cold lumpy custard.

What animal best reflects your personality? Lion? Tiger? Actually, I’m more like our family cat George because he loves to eat and sleep and he also likes spending time with people.

Topics