BusinessCar’s Paul Barker puts 13 testing questions to another victim
1. What was your first job?
Grade 1 Clerk for the Midland Bank, working on the counter. This was before the days of cash machines, so there were long lines of people cashing cheques at lunch time.
2. What was your first company car?
Black Ford Orion, but I’d only had it two days before some ******* pinched it.
3. What did you listen to on your last car journey?
The Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2, but I became very angry at all the nutters calling in and switched over to mindless music.
4. What one thing do you wish you could do better?
Spell.
5. What’s your biggest achievement?
After my old company was sold and relocated from Wantage to Harrogate, being invited by a former competitor to join them and start a new business in Oxfordshire. Then, creating The Fuelcard People, saving the jobs of some of the great people I’d been working with and always staying well ahead of target by delivering what fleet managers want. (End of plug!)
6. Who is your role model?
I’d like to nominate my old boss, but only those who know both of us would get the joke.
7. What’s the stupidest thing you’ve done?
While working for a flooring company, I booked a lorry to go to Scotland and deliver a shipment of lino. I now know better, but West Thurrock still sounds Scottish to me.
8. What was the most hotly debated topic at your last meeting?
Who was going to buy the next round.
9. What’s in your garage?
What garage?
10. What’s the worst thing about your job?
Monthly reports.
11. What one law would you make or change?
I would ban unnecessary street furniture, pointless road signs and all those bollards that clutter up and spoil our country lanes and streetscapes.
12. What keeps you awake at night?
I can’t fall asleep if there’s any noise, but once I’m off nothing wakes me.
13. Who is your ideal celebrity date?
Bette Midler – a fantastic singer, gloriously funny and strangely attractive.