TEES TIME
In our new feature , we find out what makes local business leaders tick .
Name :
Peter Snaith
Age : 53 Born : Darlington Lives : Jesmond , Newcastle
Family : Married to Jayne . Sons Ben , 23 , and Sam , 18
Tell us about your upbringing : I grew up on our family farm in High Coniscliffe . I became pretty independent at an early age , spending 10 years at boarding school , first at Aysgarth in North Yorkshire and then further afield at Shrewsbury School . I found Newcastle when I went to university , where I studied law .
Tell us about your first job : My first job was as a farm hand , every summer . I would happily still be driving tractors and working with animals if I didn ’ t need to make a livelihood from it . My first proper job was as an articled clerk , old school terminology for a trainee solicitor , with Dickinson Dees , which is now part of Womble Bond Dickinson . I left to work in industry , with ICI and INEOS , and came back years later .
How different has your career been from how you imagined it at 21 ? I always wanted to be a lawyer , thanks to Arnold Becker and LA Law . Showing my age now ! Not many lawyers move back to private practice after working in-house and that wasn ' t part of the plan , but understanding the local industry and seeing the world through the clients ’ eyes has been invaluable .
What one piece of advice would you pass on to those starting out in business ? You cannot start building your network too early and don ’ t make any enemies . The North- East is too small and you never know when or where you will meet somebody again , but you probably will , in some capacity , and you could live to regret burning that bridge .
Which part of your job do you most enjoy ? Building relationships with clients , colleagues and intermediaries we can collaborate with to provide a service which makes us different . People buy people in the professional services sector , not just brands . It ' s important to be human , and not take yourself too seriously .
Which part of your job do you least enjoy ? Anything to do with numbers and budgets and the mountain of emails in my inbox every day . But I send so many , so c ' est la vie , I guess .
Do you ever doubt yourself as a business leader ? Not really , no . That doesn ’ t mean I never get nervous . Adrenalin can sometimes help you to be your best . I ' m not a fan of being on camera , but I think that ' s because we lawyers feel we have to get things really right every time .
How do you switch off from work ? I struggle . It drives my wife mad . Put the emails down ! Trying to improve my golf handicap , being on or near water and watching rugby with my sons , or anyone .
Why does your business matter ? We can really help unlock the potential for Teesside and the wider region and try to stop us from holding ourselves back , one way or another . We work with so many local stakeholders . We like to bring people together to harness the power of the collective . With our US offices , we can also put Teesside on the map for inward investors and help local businesses succeed across the pond .
Which of your personal traits has been the most important in your career ? My energy and enthusiasm . I get excited by new projects , opportunities and challenges . I enjoy making things happen .
Which of your own personal traits most frustrates you ? Procrastination . I always leave things to the last minute , but maybe I need a burning platform to deliver my best . It can be unnecessarily stressful , though !
Which trait in others do you most dislike ? Dislike is a bit strong , but I get really frustrated by people who are slaves to a spreadsheet . This can hold us back . I go with my gut , although I appreciate there needs to be some balance .
If you were to recommend just one book to Tees Business readers , which would it be ? World Class by Will Greenwood and Ben Fennell . It applies rugby and sporting theories to building excellent teams in the workplace .
What ’ s your favourite local restaurant and why ? Café Lilli in Norton . A fabulous choice of food , although I regularly can ' t go beyond the pasta or risotto . A laid-back , informal vibe where anything goes , for business or with family and friends .
What social media do you use ? WhatsApp , if that counts ? Instagram , hardly . I ' ve never tweeted , or maybe I did once . I ' m on LinkedIn a lot .
Which local business leader would you like to see interviewed in this feature ? Emily Anderson , plant manager SEQENS Custom Specialities and non-executive director of NEPIC .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 55