After four decades of industry escapades he retired on 3 February.
What is your nickname?
I have had many over the years and some are not repeatable, but in various groups I would be known as: Tyke, Yorkie, DubbleYou, Barlow (also Barlioni and Bartosh), Wayney and Mr B
What would be your dream job?
When I left school I wanted to be a footballer or an artist, and still do!
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Only Brad Pitt could carry that off
What is your dream bit of kit?
The new Canon IX1700VP is one to look out for when it comes to the market
What would you most like to print?
Money – more money – even more money
What is your favourite film?
Kes, from the book A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines. It was filmed in my home town of Barnsley
What is your favourite TV programme?
Gillette Soccer Saturday and Match of the Day – very shallow as the wife would say. I also really enjoyed the recent Rivals series, having read the books during the ’80s
What is your favourite album?
This is almost impossible to answer on any given day, but today I would say Lexicon of Love by ABC. Ask me tomorrow, Settle by Disclosure
What is your favourite book?
I have just re-read Shōgun after watching the latest TV series. I had the fortune to work for the finest Japanese company in the world for four decades, with the privilege of spending time, and great banter whilst eating and drinking the finest food and Sake with Japanese colleagues and friends in Japan. It makes the book just a superb and educational read about some of the history of the most humble of people.
My favourite book would be the Earth’s Children series that starts with The Clan of the Cave Bear. It’s a story about a Cro-Magnon girl, Ayla, who is accidentally orphaned by a Neanderthal tribe 35,000 years ago. Written by Jean M Auel, the research that went into her journey is just phenomenal
Sweet or savoury?
Savoury
Who or what do you dislike the most?
I get frustrated with able people that faff around, especially at airports. And umbrellas drive me mad
Who do you admire most in the industry?
I met another Barnsley lad in the Houses of Parliament some 20 years ago to discover we were both Mad Barnsley FC fans. We message each other on every game, every week and even went to the Wrexham game on New Year's Day. My nickname for him is ‘Gillette Soccer Biltardo’.
Everyone will know Simon from Webmart – what I do admire is that he is involved in everything, everywhere, all over the place. I am convinced he is cloned?
What is your favourite phrase or saying?
My team would probable say #NORRENUFF. In English that would mean “it’s not enough”
Cat or dog, or…?
Horses – as a lad my dad taught me to ride an old pit pony called Billy using a coal sack as a saddle. Through friends I had the privilege to play polo for almost 20 years, and rode some of the finest and most beautiful of horses as far and wide as Argentina, which was such an amazing life experience
What is your greatest luxury in life?
I am very fortunate to be around strong families and a wide range of close friends that enjoy time together regardless of where. I am now looking forward to our annual skiing trip with my 'dads & lads' group. I find breaking bread together and travelling the finest way of bonding with people
What is the strangest job you’ve ever done?
I was once a Blockbuster kid for a while and had to wear this enormous outfit while walking up and down high streets to get people into the Blockbuster Video shops. I needed the money at the time but it was hilarious and I met some brilliant people
Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with?
My wife, Lee, she is the most resourceful person I know and amazing in times of emergency. As long as I could also have an open invite for Sienna Miller
What is your greatest ambition?
It was always winning and enjoying everything I did. Now as I take on retirement it has to be keeping healthy so I can enjoy the ultimate career with family and friends
What’s your greatest fear?
It would have been losing, but as you take time to reflect it has to be the health of those close to you
Who or what makes you laugh?
Only Fools and Horses has to be up there; some of the Trigger moments are the finest. Along with Gavin & Stacey too, but is there a funnier man than Paul Whitehouse?
Most embarrassing moment?
In my early '20s I turned up to a cabaret-themed fancy dress night with some mates, I was dressed up as a prostitute in a girlfriend’s French camisole and suspenders, only to find we had got the wrong night. We still went out on the town. If you have ever seen the video “It’s no fun living in Barnsley” you would understand the banter we had!
Where would you like to be right now?
Setting off for that ski trip and then taking time with Lee to travel from the north through the central heartland of Spain to meet friends in the south is exactly what I will do at leisure, see you on the other side
What’s your worst fashion disaster?
Having gone through the glam rock, punk, new romantic, jazz funk… you name it music eras there have been many. The most constant is my love of wearing white trousers or white shorts. Family, kids, mates, work colleagues tease me all the time. But I LOVE ’em
Which superpower would you like to have?
Flying, it would save me time at airports
Who is your hero or heroine in life?
As a lad, Peter ‘The Cat’ Bonetti, the Chelsea goalkeeper was my hero and as a young goalkeeper myself I had all the Bonetti gear
Where would you go if you could time-travel?
Back to the beginning and do it all again
What was your childhood obsession?
Sport, especially football, and art, I still love both to this day
What was the best business deal that you’ve pulled off?
Over the years there have been many memorable deals, but the one that sticks in my mind was when a young sales trainee came to me to try and close out a deal she was struggling with, it happened to be Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden who had a pub in Norwich at the time. Following a fair bit of Jack Daniels, loud music, lots of laughs I was pleased to crawl out with a signed order, it was in the days when sales managers had to be ‘Superman’ and were not allowed to fail in front of the team and it really pushed me outside my comfort zone. However, some would say, that is my comfort zone!
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Believe in you and push every limit that comes your way
How would you like to be remembered?
I would hope that most people that know me would say they enjoy our time together, and that they would always want me on their team
Life is…?
Special to each and every one of us, it’s there to push and enjoy every second towards fulfilling those dreams
