PROFILE
My biggest frustration about Teesside is … that it has been overlooked in many ways . Leeds and Newcastle are great places , but they are not “ the North-East ”, just parts of it – and the power engine of Teesside hasn ’ t been given its fair share of the opportunity . But at least that ’ s changing now . And look at how we ’ re reacting to it and what we ’ re achieving because of it . UTB !
My favourite local charity is … There are many , but Teesside Hospice would top the list I guess , just because of what they deliver and who they deliver it to .
When I ’ m not working , I like to spend my time … with my wife Carole , my extended family – kids , step-kids and dogs – either at home or with friends .
My guilty pleasures are … Not sure I have one , really . I work hard , so I feel I ’ ve deserved it whenever I indulge in anything – that ’ s my story anyway , and I ’ m sticking to it !
The best holiday I ever had was … with my kids , Venice for a week and then Rome for a week . Both were brilliant in their own right . I was convinced the kids never looked up from their phones and tablets on the train journey between the two and so missed all the beautiful scenery , only to find out that they can now describe parts in great detail . I can only assume that every time they saw me move they looked down , and as soon as I stopped watching them , they looked back up again !
Not many people know this about me but … I ’ m partially blind in one eye ( from birth ) and partially deaf in one ear ( from a football accident ). And if that doesn ’ t make me perfect managerial material , I don ’ t know what does !
In retirement , I ’ ll spend my time … reading , watching history programmes , gardening , travelling and enjoying my family – I ’ ll wonder how I found time to work !
The voice of business in the Tees region | 61