Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business issue 32 | Page 31

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 31
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What do you do?
I’m managing director of two training companies – High
Impact Development and The Emotional Intelligence
Company. We deliver bespoke coaching, training,
development and certification programmes, enhancing
behaviour and performance for leaders, managers and
their teams and organisations.
Who have you worked for in the past?
In the beginning, I was a mechanical engineer, before
joining a local training provider where I worked for 17
years, then started High Impact Development in 2009.
Best part of your job?
People. I’m privileged to work with many different
business leaders and owners; we’ve learnt a huge
amount together. Also, I get to see a wide variety of
companies and what they do, from nuclear submarines
to the new Hitachi Rail trains and Scottish Parliament,
as well as many manufacturing and engineering
companies.
Is there anything about your job that you really
don’t like?
We provide a high level of support to our clients which
in turn creates a lot of admin – my team know this is not
my favourite part!
Favourite thing about working on
Aycliffe Business Park?
I love the variety of businesses that are based here and
I particularly value the Aycliffe Business Park Community
forum – it’s a real place to share resources, networks
and delivering work.
Which company/individual on the park do you
do the most work with?
Hitachi Rail Europe, whom we’ve worked with since
early 2015, and we’re proud to have contributed to their
success so far.
Who’s your tip for future success?
Personally, I think the whole of Aycliffe Business Park
and community have an exciting future for higher
success. Especially as we work more to showcase the
great companies that work here and get to know each
other and how we can deliver more together.
Four famous people you’d love to have round for
dinner and why?
Winston Churchill for great wit and his sharp tongue,
coupled with Russell Brand for outrageous extravagance
and humour and Marilyn Munroe to bring the
intelligence (her IQ was measured at 168!). Plus Mark
Knopfler for interesting music related conversation and
maybe a song or two.
9.

If you could do something else in business, what
would it be?
This one is the easiest... I’d be an inventor, tinkering in
my shed, or a professional fly fishing guide.
10. Who’s your favourite Tweeter?

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Donald Trump for how not too!
Have you ever done anything really daring?
I’ve ski-mountaineered over the Cairngorms and crawled
on my belly for 2Km in a cave. Not recently though!
12. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve

been given?
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another –
proverb.
13. If money was no object, what would be your ideal

car?
Bentley continental cabriolet.
14. Money no object, your dream holiday would be?

A worldwide fly fishing tour, fishing in every country
around the world... with Louise my darling wife, of
course!
15. Do you have a favourite band or type of music?

There isn’t really any music I wouldn’t listen too.
Favourites include, Pink Floyd, Dire Straights to
Beethoven and the Shires.
16. What is your greatest achievement?

Managing to survive this far in life as a husband and
father!
17. How would you best describe yourself in four

words?
Energetic, relational, creative and loyal.
18. Where do you see yourself in five years?

We’re embarking on a three-year growth strategy with
our companies, so if that all works out as we plan, then
I’ll be on my fly fishing tour.
19. Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?

I once dreamt I had a funny pub crawl with Chandler
Bing from Friends, does that count!?
20. Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Sometimes having a smoke on a pipe when I’m fishing.
Ironically my favourite pipe tobacco is called Guilty
Pleasure…