He has two adorable children and has been married to his “even more adorable wife Susan” for 20 years. He joined east London’s Rival Colour four years ago.
What is your nickname?
Gorgeous (as in Ray Winstone’s character in Sexy Beast – Gorgeous Gal)
Why did you get into printing?
After leaving school I got a job as a chippy’s mate, but quickly found out that I wasn’t going to learn much just lumping lengths of 4x2 around for the old carpenter. Also it was getting cold outside and the thought of working in an office with toilets was quite appealing at the time! My mother told me about a job in the post room at Morgan Grampian, who liked to hire friends and family. So I started in print at the age of 17 at the Morgan Grampian in-house print unit on an AM Multilith 1850, then moved into the production office. I worked in production 27 years for a number of publishers, with one foray into pre-press – and I didn’t like it much!
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Joe Pantoliano?
What is your dream bit of kit?
An affordable B2 digital press
What would you most like to print?
Something the client appreciates is always worth printing
What is your favourite film?
The Italian Job – the original one with ‘proper’ Minis
What is your favourite TV show?
Game of Thrones currently but The Sopranos and Band of Brothers have to be at the top of all time
Who or what do you hate the most?
Unnecessary rudeness or arrogance
Who do you admire most in the industry?
Julian Townsend, sales director, Denmaur Paper – a true gent in a tough industry
What is your favourite album?
Hunky Dory by David Bowie
What is your favourite book/what book are you reading at the moment?
The Stand by Stephen King
What is your greatest luxury in life?
Apple products
What is your greatest ambition?
To be a great father
Who or what makes you laugh?
Modern Family, and seeing Millwall or Crystal Palace lose
Most embarrassing moment?
Cuddling up to the wrong person on top of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, on my honeymoon, then having to share a mini bus with them for three days!
Where would you like to be now?
Next to my dream villa in Kas, Turkey. One day!
Where would you go if you could time-travel?
The Cavern Club to see the Beatles
What was the best business deal that you’ve pulled off?
Renegotiating bringing the print deal back in-house from Centurion Press for Redactive Media Group. That saved £1.25m, £500,000 more than they were expecting
How would you like to be remembered?
A good husband and father and hopefully grandfather although the last one will have to wait a bit as they’re six years and 20 months
Life is…?
Full of surprises
What was your childhood obsession?
Action Man
