John Davies, chairman, Vehicle Remarketing Association

Fleet News What has been your biggest achievement in your current role?

John Davies Working with the founder members to get the VRA launched and recruiting new members.

FN Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

JD My wife. We have been married for 39 years.

FN What has been the pivotal moment in your life?

JD Getting married as it was the beginning of being responsible and that continues to this day.

FN What is your dream holiday?

JD Touring Australia and New Zealand as we have never been and both my sons have.

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

JD My son and from VRA director Steve Carman chasing me to write this article.

FN What is your favourite sitcom and why?

JD Fawlty Towers. I love the very clever one liners.

FN What is your favourite film?

JD I don’t have time to go to the cinema but love the old James Bond movies.

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

JD Larger houses for my two children to help them out.

FN What has been your biggest mistake in business?

JD Staying too long in one job – you need new challenges and being part of the start-up team for the VRA has certainly been an enjoyable and interesting challenge.

FN When was the last time you took public transport?

JD Yesterday, when I got the tube into London for meetings. I commuted into London for 45 years when I worked for Lloyds so public transport was an integral part of my working life.

FN How would you describe your leadership style?

JD Inclusive. I would hope that I’m seen as approachable and someone who always listens.

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

JD Keep the House of Lords. There are far more important issues to address.

FN What is your favourite book?

JD Eric Clapton’s autobiography as I grew up with the groups he was in.

FN What’s your least favourite food?

JD Garlic, although it has warded off a few vampires in my business world.

FN What is your fondest childhood memory?

JD Long summer holidays out fishing in Kent where we lived.

FN Your favourite dish at a restaurant?

JD Pasta, I just really like it.

FN Who was your childhood hero?
JD Winston Churchill. He steered the country through difficult times and was very good at reading people.

FN When did you last feel guilty about the environment?
JD I don’t really feel guilty as I try to do my bit. I do, however, drive a large 4x4 which I guess is not that environmentally friendly. I would love all my daily newspapers accessible on my iPad which would reduce my carbon footprint.

FN Which historical character do you most identify with?
JD King Canute. I often found myself trying to hold back irresistible forces in my banking career.

FN What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
JD Listen to and learn from your elders. It’s a lot less painful than learning from your mistakes.

FN What is the one object you couldn’t live without?
JD My Blackberry.

FN What would you say is your guilty pleasure?
JD A pint of beer and a packet of dry roasted peanuts.

FN Which superhero from comics would you most like to be?
JD Batman so I could drive his car.

FN What is your dream car?
JD Lamborghini Miura P400 SV (Spinto Veloce) Powered by a 385bhp V12 it looks and sounds amazing – only 150 were built and it can now sell for £250,000.

FN What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given?
JD My children.

FN If you could work in another profession what would it be?
JD Engineering, as I used to love rebuilding and repairing cars in my youth.