Describe your typical day?

As I only started with the company in September, it’s far too early in my H&J career to stamp any day as typical and if there is such a thing, I have yet to discover it.

My day normally consists of being rudely awakened by my little girl Chloe, at any time between 5 and 5.30am and promptly joining the hoards of commuters scrambling for seats on the London-bound train. Where possible I try to visit all my sites in the course of the week, although this at times proves to be an unrealistic challenge (just ask the team!). The phone rarely stops ringing and pinging and the odd visit to Long Acre and the long climb to the fourth floor gets the heart rate up.

I have re-launched, re-vamped and mobilised, and in truth would enjoy a bit of ‘typical’ to creep in once in a while.

What is the best part of your job?

Working with such a talented bunch of individuals (you know who you are).

And the worst part?

Time, or rather lack of it!

Life before H & J?

I spent seven years working as a chef in hotels and restaurants and eighteen years with two rather large catering companies. They were enjoyable times and hopefully there are many still to come.

Why H & J?

Harbour & Jones struck me early on as a company passionate about food and service. Strange comment I know, but far too many caterers are placing too much focus on the bottom line and are not delivering in the core areas of their business. Losing sight of food and service is unforgiveable.

I have also yet to find an individual who is not passionate about food and service, including people in some of the central functions, which, in this industry is rarely seen.

Why H & J?

I was looking for a new challenge with a company that could offer good prospects and the H&J advert looked just right.

Who is your food hero and why?

I trained as a chef around the time when Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc and Nico Ladenis were massive influences, but as a food hero I would say Keith Floyd (Rick Stein a very close second)….a passionate entertainer, who loved food and the odd glass of wine!

What are your best food memories?

Early memories of making fairy cakes and fresh bread on a Saturday morning with my mother are still very real; a trip to New York with my wife to celebrate Christmas where we dined in a fantastic restaurant on Christmas Eve (jetlagged); one of our first holidays with our little girl with friends in Italy, enjoying the best that Tuscany had to offer.

What do you do to relax?

It’s all about the family and the odd Tottenham or Stevenage game. I love spending time with my wife and daughter, friends and family and when possible getting in the odd holiday.