On the spot with Steve Russell

What was your first job?

Teaching English at a private school in a small Spanish fishing village.

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

A successful author. The success would allow me to choose an idyllic lifestyle now and it is a job which would guarantee a legacy once I shuffle off this mortal coil.

What would be your ideal day out of the office?

A blustery but sunny day on a beach off the Irish west coast. Rock-pooling with my daughters, long walks, laughter and a hearty meal in a pub with live, traditional music and a decent pint of Guinness.

Name one person you would like to have dinner with and why?

My wife – we never get enough time together. Don’t really do celebs but Stephen Fry would be difficult to overlook for all the obvious reasons and I’d invite Tori Amos along to play piano.

What was your best subject at school?

I always loved history. Not the dry, dusty legislative stuff but studying people whose individual impact altered our world today.

What are your hobbies?

I’m a little adrenaline junkie at heart so recently I’ve learnt to sail and had a go at gorge trekking, caving, sky diving, shooting and stunt plane aerobatics.

What’s your top time-saving tip?

Delegation and internet shopping. Even better when combined.

What would you do if you won the Lotto?

Smile.

Which political, legal, economic or sporting event would you most like to see happen in your lifetime and why?

It would be great to see the implosion of the money-grabbing debacle that is the Premier League.

What is the best thing about being in business in Yorkshire?

Going home to Lancashire (sorry!)

What would you like your epitaph to be?

How about ‘Died Happy, Rich and Fulfilled. His Twelve Mistresses Will Miss Him Dearly.’