What was your first-ever job? I have always been keen to work and when I was about 14 I had two jobs a paper round and a weekend job at a plumbers merchants.

What was your worst job interview? An interview for NatWest. I managed to convince them they should put me on the fast track scheme. I took the job, but it never suited me.

What was the first music single you bought? ‘Renegade’ by Styx I’m a bit of a rocker at heart.

How do you describe your job to your mates? It’s fun and rewarding, it enables me to experiment with flavours, dream up concepts and translate them into a reality.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? It’s great when the chocolates I’ve developed get appreciated by our customers. Our two Great Taste Awards in 2011 from the Guild of Fine Foods were also fantastic.

What is the least rewarding part? Anything to do with admin I have a very short attention span! Fortunately my wife, who also works in the business, helps keep things on the straight and narrow.

What is your motto in life? Seize the moment!

What’s your nickname? The Chocolate Man.

If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? To have more hours in the week. It’s really important for my business to dedicate time to creative product development and finding new retail outlets.

What’s your favourite movie and why? Pirates of the Caribbean. A good, light-hearted family movie I can enjoy with my kids.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? We only have one piece of machinery at our production unit, for melting and tempering chocolate. After cleaning it down one night, I reloaded it with 30 kilos of solid chocolate and then headed home, leaving it to melt. The following morning, I realised I’d forgotten to close the drain tap and was met with a huge puddle of molten chocolate!

If you could change one thing in the grocery industry what would it be? I would love to see more of the British public taking a real interest in the quality and freshness of the products they are buying.

What luxury would you have on your desert island? My guitar then no one else would have to hear me play!

What animal best reflects your personality and why? An owl, because I work better at night and I like to think I am very knowledgeable in my field.

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