Describe yourself in one word
Relentless.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your career?
It’s all about investing in the right people, growing from within and protecting the team culture as a top priority.
Tell us your biggest strength
I’m a very hard worker. I’ve never been particularly intellectual, but always very practical. By working hard I keep driving the business and my amazing team forward.
What has been your biggest mistake
Recruiting a key role externally rather than nurturing from within. I have learnt to be meticulous in making sure I’m personally heading the business and have developed an operations team internally who are awesome.
What makes a good leader?
Consistency, honesty and being a glass half full kind of person.
Who has had the biggest influence on your approach to business?
Hugo Warner, he founded Benugo with his brother Ben. I joined them when they had just one deli café in Farringdon and a sandwich production kitchen just outside of Shoreditch, we grew the business in excess of 80 sites in 10 years. We butted heads all the time, but his drive and vision in what we were doing and where we were going was, in my view, what made that business so successful in its infancy.
How do you stay motivated?
It’s easy when you love your job and have surrounded yourself with the right team.
How often do you check your email?
A couple of times a day. I’m disciplined about never looking at emails at home or when I am spending time with my wife and kids.
How do you relax?
I run every day with my dog. I’m not very good at sitting still and easily get bored, so am generally very active
What was your dream job growing up?
To be a lorry driver or to build houses.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
To tackle the most difficult jobs, challenges and conversations first every day, they are what really matter and will have the most impact.
What would you call your autobiography?
Follow Your Dreams… corny but true.
Tell me something you think about the restaurant sector that almost nobody agrees with you on
Not all pizzerias need to have chilli oil
Do you have any business regrets?
Regrets no, mistakes many! There’s always a lesson with a mistake and they seem to get fewer as the years roll on
