Tell us what you do for a living?
I’m a solicitor in private practice with my own business.
Are you doing what you thought you’d be doing after leaving school?
No. I wanted to be an RAF pilot! In the first year of 6th form, I went to RAF Biggin Hill to go through the aircrew selection process. Failed – colour blind!! However, the RAF said they’d be interested in me after I’d graduated and suggested I did a degree in one of seven subjects. Six were engineering-based – no chance. The 7th was law!
What’s been your inspiration – what’s pulled you forwards and into your current role?
We were always told by George Embleton, the headmaster, that we were la crème de la crème, and could achieve whatever we set our sights on. I knew very early on that I wanted to have my own business and had the drive and energy to achieve that. I was admitted as a solicitor in November 1980 and opened my own practice in Perranporth, Cornwall in November, 1985.
What would you say is your biggest achievement to date, the thing you’re most proud of? Professionally or personally!
Having two fantastic children, one of whom is now a director and shareholder in this practice and creating that practice from scratch with one client and a £5,000 overdraft!
Was there a particular teacher, or a moment at school that particularly inspired you?
My history teacher – Jim Robertson who was also our form master for 6-1 and 6-2.
How important do you think your school days were in shaping who you are today?
Between the ages of 11-18 we probably develop more as individuals than at any other stage in our lives so, depending upon our homelife, school days are either the most important factor or the second most important factor in shaping the person we become.
What’s your work:life balance like? How important is that to you?
My work/life balance has been nearly perfect all my career. I love what I do and always have done but it doesn’t get in the way of living. My clients don’t care where I am – so long as they can get hold of me – so we are able to spend a lot of time [except when covid-19 comes along] at our place in Spain where the internet and wifi are better than here!
What advice would you give to today’s students who may be struggling to choose which path to take beyond school?
Don’t rush into a career path just for the sake of it. Destiny has a way of showing you where to go so don’t stress if it’s not obvious when you’re sitting your A levels. IF you can end up earning a living doing what you love and can achieve a sense of contentment, you’ll be on the right path.
Finally, do you have a favourite quote, expression or mantra which inspires you to keep going?
I don’t need anything to inspire me to keep going – simply enjoy living the day, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring and, ultimately, it doesn’t really matter.
