What was your first-ever job? In the graduate training programme with Kimberly-Clark, I spent the first year selling toilet tissue to big factories. I once spent a delightful day counting all the ladies and gents toilets in Ford's Dagenham plant. I suppose you could say I started at the bottom.

What was your worst job interview? At Xerox, the interviewer was eating grapes and spitting the pips in my direction. Not for me.

What was the first music single you bought? Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. What a classic.

How do you describe your job to your mates? Retail marketing programmes that positively change shopper behaviour.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing the impact of a successful retail marketing programme the look on a client's face, the motivated store staff, happy shoppers and an even more motivated TCC team.

What is the least rewarding part? Administration and time wasted by travelling.

What is your motto in life? Always look for the good in people.

If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? A special driving licence that would allow me to drive safely at unlimited speeds, or my own helicopter with pilot on permanent standby.

What's your favourite movie and why? Scent of a Woman. Al Pacino is fantastic, I like the plot and it fits with my motto.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? It's got to be my one-hour slots on QVC in the 1990s when I was selling soft toys. I often came out with the line: "If only this was feely vision and viewers could feel how soft this monkey is". I kept it quiet but my wife leaked the information, and people were setting their VCRs to record the show.

Do you have any phobias? Only frogs.

If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? I guess it would be Barack Obama. He instils such belief in people.

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? For the UK market to learn from the rest of the world. There are many strong ideas and solutions being used elsewhere.

What luxury would you have on your desert island? A Sunseeker speedboat with a specially selected crew!

What animal best reflects your personality and why? My kids said horse. According to them it's because I am useful, good company and have a face like one.

Topics