The last word: Dave Crinson

Dave Crinson – sales manager, Car Fleets UK & RoI, Michelin

What has been your biggest achievement in your current role?

Becoming a senior manager in a blue chip company, having left school at 16. It’s something I’m really proud of.

There is a lot of emphasis on university now, but I have just worked my way up through hard work and endeavour.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My parents. They had a hard upbringing but they bent over backwards and did all they could do to help whenever possible.

My dad was a postman who used to get up at 3am and he just got on with it.

He never shirked anything and would get the job done come hell or highwater.

Nothing really seemed to bother him. He gave me my work ethic and taught me to keep striving, not to be beaten and to get over any obstacles put in the way.

What would be your dream holiday?

In a way we have already had our dream holiday – two weeks in Mauritius about five years ago.

It was the most friendly and relaxing island I have ever been to. It was out of this world.

I suppose the next one would be a world cruise when I retire, while I’ve still got my health and youth – if you can have youth at 60.

What is your favourite sitcom?

Outnumbered because I think the two kids are fantastic and it’s so natural.

They are almost identical to my niece’s two children and I just think it’s a typical household.

What is your favourite film?

Get Carter because it was filmed in Newcastle, where I was born, and a lot of scenes remind me of my youth. And obviously Michael Caine is a fantastic actor.

When was the last time you used public transport?

Last Saturday I got the electric train from West Kirby to Liverpool to go to a friend’s son’s stag do.

He invited us older ones for dinner at 6pm and then the younger ones came along later. We left them to it and got the train home as well.

Who was the last person you received a text message from?

Most of the text messages I get are sales figures from work, but the last one was from my 26-year-old daughter Samantha telling us she was staying over at her boyfriend’s house.

She might be 26 now, but as a parent it doesn’t matter how old they are, we’re still concerned and like to know where she is.

What is the first thing you would do if you were made Prime Minister for the day?

There are so many things that it would be impossible to do it all on one day. There are too many frustrations at the moment.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

If I was being practical I would take a tent, a machete and a box of matches.

If I was being more idealistic I’d take Tiger Woods and some golf clubs for never-ending golf lessons. He could probably do with a break from the media too.

Also, a never-ending supply of Black Sheep cask ale and a television so I could keep an eye on Newcastle United’s scores.

What is your best childhood memory?

We were quite a large family and every Sunday we used to go down to the beach with other families, and 40 or 50 of us would meet up.

It was something we did as a family and you just don’t get that type of situation today.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I’m strict but fair with a great deal of empathy. I would never ask someone to do something that I wouldn’t do myself.

Which superhero would you most like to be?

He might not be a superhero in the conventional sense, but I would
like to be Alan Shearer. He’s my superhero.

I am a passionate Newcastle United supporter and he’s been a fantastic ambassador for Newcastle.

What is your dream car?

It has to be a Porsche 911. I had an uncle who was mad keen on them and it’s always been the car I fancied. Years ago I used to drive a Volkswagen Beetle – a poor man’s Porsche.