GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 28 - April 2014

The cityhas alsobeen likened to thepride of theMidlands. If someone from out of town were to visit you, where is the one place you would have to take them? I would have to say Trentham Monkey Forest; yes, I did say monkey forest. This is a fantas- tic day out where monkeys are literally walking around, uncaged in a beautiful setting. The monkeys are free to roam around theparkandalthoughyouarenot allowed to touchor feed themyoucancer- tainly take some amazingphotos of these extraordinary creatures. There are also facilities todoanassault courseknownas “Aerial Extreme”whichallowsyou to test your nerve on an adventure ropes course. Obviously after this I’m sure an appetite wouldhavebeenworkedup sowewould head to get a taste of the local delicacy – Staffordshireoatcakes! What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? The last book I readwas Steven Gerrard’s autobiography. It was a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Steven Gerrard is one of my childhood heroes so Iwas very keen to read this. It’s amaz- ing how he is a Liverpool lad and he is still playing for his boyhood team. I ad- mirehis commitment and I feel as though I have the same commitment drive, al- though not playing for a Premier League teambutworking for apremier company, I am fully committed to bet365 and per- forming to thebest ofmy ability. What is your favorite movie? This is a trickyoneas I havequitea rangeof favor- itefilms.Thebestfilm Ihave seen recently is The Wolf of Wall Street , so I would say that is my favorite film at the moment. I went to the cinema towatch it and itwas incredible. I have always liked Leonardo DiCaprio, and most of the films he has starred in I could watch over and over again – okay, maybe not Titanic but cer- tainlyhismore recent films. If you had a theme song, what would it be? Again this is another tough question, but I’m going to choose a song which I grew up on and that is Oasis – “Stay Young.” I grew up listening toOasis and this is one of my favorite songs which they did so I think it’s fitting that this is my themesong.Back inhighschool I even had the Oasis-style hair. When my col- leagues foundphotos ofmyOasis self on Facebook, therewerea few shocked faces. My dadwas the first personwho got me intoOasis and since that day I have thor- oughly enjoyed listening to them. I have been to see them live on numerous oc- casions, including in their home town of Manchester, whichwas something special! I could have picked quite a few Oasis songsbut this song isonwhat inmyopin- ion is their best album, The Masterplan , and itmakesyou feelgoodaboutyourself. What do you use for most of your web surfing: Adesktopcomputer, laptop, tab- let or smartphone? When I’m at home, I mostly use my iPad; it’s a great piece of equipment. It allows you to browse the web anywhere in your house. If not iPad then it would be my iPhone. I’m a big Apple fan, can you tell? I really like the user experience ofApple products; it’s so incredibly easy to log on and browse the Internet. Make a product that includes usability, efficiency and durability and you’re onto a winner. I think it is also useful to familiarize yourself with these products as it can help you in your role. Many affiliates are looking at how they can target the mobile and tablet market, so if you’re able todiscuss your ideas this will only enhanceyour relationships. If we picked up your iPod (or more like- ly, your iPhone) and pressed play, what songwould be playing? Imainly listen to housemusic but I do like a bit of indie as well, so out of fairness, I have just gone onto my iPhone, pressed shuffle and the song that cameonwasLeYouth–“Dance with Me.” This is quite a popular song at the moment so I’m pleased with my iPhone’s selection. I enjoyhousemusic as I feel itmirrorsmypersonalityofbeingan upbeat person. Listening to house music can certainly lift your mood, and when a song comes on that you enjoy, it puts a big smile on your face. Being in an up- beat mood helps you perform to the best of your ability and I feel housemusic cer- tainlyhelpswith this. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? There would be twoplacesbut theywouldbeon the same vacation – is that allowed? I would go to Las Vegas for a week as this has always been a place I have wanted to visit and then fly over to theMaldives for a relax- ationholidayafter ahecticweek inVegas. Las Vegas has always fascinated me as it is the gambling capital of the world. I have watched television documentaries on the destination and it just looks amaz- ingandaplace that is constantly thriving. The Maldives, however, is the polar op- posite.After aweek inLasVegas Iwould imagine aweek on a beach in a secluded location towinddownwouldbeessential. Withafewcocktailsandapotentialfishing trip this would be ideal after a week in Vegas.Wheredo I sign?! If you could have dinner with three other people, living or dead, who would they be? I am a big Liverpool fan so I would have to choose three legends of the game, Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and the late, great Bill Shankly. It would be great to talk to Bill Shankly about the good old days at Liverpool whenwe were the dominant force in European football as well as pick Kenny Dalglish’s brain on what it was like to be a massive success asaplayer andasamanager.WithSteven Gerrard Iwouldprobablybe so starstruck Iwouldn’tknowwhat to say. But I’m sure though that aftera fewglassesof redwine the conversation would be flowing and numerousphotoswouldhavebeen taken. What are three things that no one knows about you? Another toughquestion. I feel as though I don’t really have any incred- ibly hidden secrets that not many people knowaboutme, Iguess Iamaveryhonest and openperson. I feel these qualities are thebestway tobe. I know this isprobably not theansweryouwerehoping forwhen asking this question! No secrets here, I’m afraid! 71 AffiliateManager InterviewSeries