The last word: Giles Margerison

Giles Margerison, sales director, TomTom

What has been your biggest achievement in your current role?

My Reseller/Partner programme which I had to sell as a concept to the business and then implement an ongoing series of events and education to our entire channel. Sales results have rocketed since I launched the programme in 2010.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

Definitely my wife. She is always telling me that I can do better. However, I have been very lucky and worked for/with teams of truly excellent people.

What is your dream holiday?

A week on safari in Africa then across to the Maldives to enjoy deep-sea fishing and diving.

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

My Mum, reminding me to phone my Nan.

What is your favourite sitcom and why?

Outnumbered. With a lovely but stroppy teenager and an equally lovely, but a little too clever for her own good, daughter and a wife trying to hold it all together, it is something I identify with.

What is your favourite film?

Lord of the Rings.

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

Reduce fuel duty to give everyone a break. I would pay for it by ensuring that commercial vehicles from abroad pay to use our roads, just as we do when we go to the continent. It makes me mad that we pay so much and anyone coming here uses our network for free.

If you won the Lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?

A plane ticket for the family to somewhere warm and quiet where we could have a serious think about who gets what. Then I might just treat myself to an Aston Martin and a rambling old house with a bit of land.

What has been your biggest mistake in business?

Hiring the wrong people – and I have done plenty of that. So now I am very thorough, take my time and always go with my gut instinct. I now have the best team I have ever worked with.

When was the last time you took public transport?

I am writing this on a train on my way from London to Darlington for a meeting.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Passionate, hands on and leading by example. You can’t expect people to do things you don’t do yourself.

What is your favourite book?

I have to say Boys At War by my grandad Russel Margerison. It tells of his experience as a rear air turret gunner in a Lancaster during the Second World War and was serialised in the Mail on Sunday. I am reading Hilary Mantel’s Bring Up The Bodies at the moment.

What’s your least favourite food?

Anything processed.

Your favourite dish at a restaurant?

Oysters, a nice pink rack of lamb with all the trimmings washed down with a good red wine and a melt-in-the middle chocolate pud to finish.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

I didn’t go abroad until I was eight. My first trip was amazing. We flew to Canada, hired a big camper van and drove through the Rockies into America and down the west coast.

Who was your childhood hero?

Han Solo in Star Wars.

When did you last feel guilty about the environment?

Every week when I drag the wheelie bin down the drive and can barely move it.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Put every penny you can muster on Quest for Fame in the 1990 Derby and then buy as much property as you can.

What is the one object you couldn’t live without?

iPad. I can’t believe I ever existed without one.

What would you say is your guilty pleasure?

Heavy rock music.

Which superhero from comics would you most like to be?

Superman because he can fly. That would be so much fun.

What is your dream car?

I know I said Aston Martin earlier but, money no object at all, then a Bugatti Veyron.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given?

My wife bought me a Jura, bean to cup, coffee machine. It’s fantastic.