What was your first-ever job? A marketing intern at Sara Lee Japan, working on men’s underwear campaigns in the Tokyo office. Before that – as a dishwasher at the local pub. I was over the moon when I got promoted to bartender.
What was your worst job interview? I once had a telephone interview the day after a work Christmas party. It was not a spectacular success.
What was the first music single you bought? The Prodigy – One Love. I still have the cassette somewhere, although no means to play it…
How do you describe your job to your mates? I don’t really need to – once your mates figure out you sell whiskey, they tend to get in touch for samples!
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Meeting people who love our brands and sell the USPs back to me. Their enthusiasm justifies the effort that goes in.
What is the least rewarding part? Running a whiskey tasting session first thing in the morning after the night before can be a real trial!
What is your motto in life? No one gets remembered for the things they didn’t do. What’s your nickname? At university there were too many Toms in my year so I was known by my surname. This has caused confusion ever since – quite a few classmates had no idea what my actual name was for years.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? A chauffeur – I run a lot of evening events and a limo home late at night would be perfect!
What’s your favourite movie and why? In the Heat of the Night. Sidney Poitier’s greatest role, and the sense of tension is superb. Plus, I’m a huge geek for American history.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? I turned up to the first day of a new job with the faded remains of a Mexican bandito moustache in felt-tip pen from the night before. Never have a tequila party to celebrate starting a new job.
Do you have any phobias? No phobias as such, but having worked as a dishwasher in a pub I absolutely loathe washing up.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? Dara O’Briain. For the craic, of course!
What luxury would you have on your desert island? An ice machine, and a shipwrecked crate of whiskey.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? One of those swans that appears to glide serenely but requires a frantic thrashing of limbs below the waterline to progress.
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