In every issue of our Aycliffe Today Business magazine, we take a break and sit down with a different employee or business owner to ask them 20 questions on a variety of subjects.
In our latest issue, Business Durham managing director Brian Archer is in the Aycliffe Today chair…
1: What do you do?
A: Lead the team that is making County Durham the best place to invest, start, and grow a business.
2: Who have you worked for in the past?
A: Marks & Spencer, Serco, Business Link, Luminate Education Group, and self-employment
3: Best part of your job?
A: Seeing people shine
4: Is there anything about your job that you really don’t like?
A: Not really – I’m very lucky to do what I do.
5: Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park?
A: Seeing so many diverse and progressive businesses thriving.
6: Which company/individual on the park do you do the most work with?
A: All the companies are important – we don’t have a favourite
7: Who’s your tip for future success?
A: Picking winners is a tricky business – I want everyone to succeed whatever their ambition.
8: Four famous people you’d love to have round for dinner and why?
A: Muhammad Ali to hear his quotes on life; Billy Bremner, one of the most fiery, skilful and industrial football players I’ve ever seen; Mo Mowlam for her humour, personal charisma and reputation; and Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama to a white passenger.
9: If you could do something else in business, what would it be?
A: River keeper.
10: Who’s your favourite Tweeter?
A: I don’t Tweet.
11: Have you ever done anything really daring?
A: Yes, but the less said about that the better!
12: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
A: Hire people that are smarter than you and let them get on with it.
13: If money was no object, what would be your ideal car?
A: Aston Martin DB11.
14: Money no object, your dream holiday would be?
A: Maldives.
15: Do you have a favourite band or type of music?
A: Soul and classical.
16: What is your greatest achievement?
A: My two daughters.
17: How would you best describe yourself in four words?
A: Resilient, compassionate, ethical, courageous.
18: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: Looking and feeling younger than I do now!
19: Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
A: Norman “chopper” Hunter (ex footballer) – I forget the others.
20: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
A: Hotel Chocolate.
