On the Spot with Danielle Barbereau

Night shifts stacking shelves in a supermarket as a student.

If not in your present job what would you like to do?

After more than 20 years in management, I retrained as a life coach. I am definitely doing the job I've always wanted to do unless, of course, I could become the personal coach of the French rugby team.

What was your worst mistake?

Professionally, I was never political because I am honest and despise office politics but, in the environment where I worked, that was a mistake.

What would be your ideal day away from the office?

A day away from it all with my wonderful partner – a long sea walk, a visit to a castle or an art gallery or both, afternoon tea with plenty of cakes. A gourmet meal of local seafood and a good Chablis and some warming time near a roaring log fire.

Name one person you would like to have dinner with....

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC. I admire her for her fierce intelligence and the way she made it in the very masculine environment of law.

What was your best subject at school?

Language and literature.

What are your hobbies?

Walking, learning to dance the Argentinian tango, cooking, enjoying times filled with friendship and laughter and, spending time with those I love.

What would you do if you won the Lotto?

I've always wanted to buy a chic little apartment in Paris or a quaint Scottish cottage. And. of course. a vineyard in Medoc.

What is your top time-saving tip?

Do not procrastinate: tackle difficult tasks first.

What is your favourite time of day and why?

Early mornings – crisp, fresh and full of promise

What is the best thing about being in Yorkshire?

As a French woman, I would say that Yorkshire has it all.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

She made people feel good about themselves; she was a positive role model for her daughters; she loved food, wine, laughter and life; she never gave up.

Danielle Barbereau is a professional life coach and runs Solace Space

in Sheffield providing pre-retirement and redundancy coaching.