Ideal dinner party guest: Tommy Cooper

Currently reading: 'Echo Burning' by Lee Child

Mostly listening to: Too varied to detail but currently enjoying Paolo Nutini and Imelda May

Describe yourself in 3 words: Gregarious, confident, amiable

Inspired by: My grandpa

Loves: The company of friends and family, skiing (but don't do enough of it) and golf (but don't play enough).

A little bit of history...

I was born, and grew up, by the seaside in Lytham St Annes. I studied Applied Chemistry at Salford University at 18, and after graduating I took 18 months out exploring the world, during which time I spent 6 months working in Australia where I turned my hand to waiting on in hotels and restaurants and selling cuddly toys to office workers in Sydney. My travels also took me to China, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and USA.

I married Tina in 1997 and we live in Cheadle, Cheshire with our 2 boys.

In my leisure time, I am kept busy taxiing the children to cubs, guitar lessons, football training and parties, and I also manage the Under 8's football team in which my youngest son plays. I also try and fit in swimming two or three times a week.

I joined Ceda Chemicals in September 2005.