Marcus Swift, commercial director at United Coffee, on the Royal Navy, window seats and his love of Madonna
What was your first-ever job? Straight after A-levels, I went into the Armed forces as a Royal Navy Officer. I spent a year at Dartmouth Naval College and then served on HMS Bristol.
What was your worst job interview? Definitely for the Navy. I faced a residential four-day interview board where we were put through lots of different tests and leadership tasks.
What was the first music single you bought? Probably Madonna's Holiday. I loved Madonna when I was younger and bought all her records, had posters and went to lots of concerts.
How do you describe your job to your mates? I keep it broad by telling them all I'm a coffee salesman.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Working with the United Coffee team. We've got a great, diverse group of people.
What is the least rewarding part? I dread it when it's my turn to make the coffee.
What is your motto in life? "One team, one dream!" I am focused on the success of the team and its ethics.
What's your nickname? Swiftie! I've always been called it.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? To travel to all the exotic locations where we source our coffee from.
What's your favourite movie and why? The Shawshank Redemption. I love it because of the way the plot unfolds and the ending.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? I fainted on parade at Dartmouth Naval College. It was a hot day and we were being inspected. The next thing I knew was that I had 300 people looking at me and sniggering.
Do you have any phobias? On planes, I have to sit in the window seat. If I can't see what's going on outside, I get a bit restless.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? Dennis Bergkamp. He could talk me through the 120 goals he scored for Arsenal.
If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? To get more time with our customers so we can drive their business even harder than we are doing at the moment.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? A bird of prey. I'm always looking for opportunities and committed to getting results.
What luxury would you have on a desert island and why? As I wouldn't be able to use my Arsenal season ticket it would have to be a TV connected to Sky Sports.
What was your first-ever job? Straight after A-levels, I went into the Armed forces as a Royal Navy Officer. I spent a year at Dartmouth Naval College and then served on HMS Bristol.
What was your worst job interview? Definitely for the Navy. I faced a residential four-day interview board where we were put through lots of different tests and leadership tasks.
What was the first music single you bought? Probably Madonna's Holiday. I loved Madonna when I was younger and bought all her records, had posters and went to lots of concerts.
How do you describe your job to your mates? I keep it broad by telling them all I'm a coffee salesman.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Working with the United Coffee team. We've got a great, diverse group of people.
What is the least rewarding part? I dread it when it's my turn to make the coffee.
What is your motto in life? "One team, one dream!" I am focused on the success of the team and its ethics.
What's your nickname? Swiftie! I've always been called it.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? To travel to all the exotic locations where we source our coffee from.
What's your favourite movie and why? The Shawshank Redemption. I love it because of the way the plot unfolds and the ending.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? I fainted on parade at Dartmouth Naval College. It was a hot day and we were being inspected. The next thing I knew was that I had 300 people looking at me and sniggering.
Do you have any phobias? On planes, I have to sit in the window seat. If I can't see what's going on outside, I get a bit restless.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? Dennis Bergkamp. He could talk me through the 120 goals he scored for Arsenal.
If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? To get more time with our customers so we can drive their business even harder than we are doing at the moment.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? A bird of prey. I'm always looking for opportunities and committed to getting results.
What luxury would you have on a desert island and why? As I wouldn't be able to use my Arsenal season ticket it would have to be a TV connected to Sky Sports.
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