Stuart Donnelly, chief regional officer - Europe North, Fleet Logistics

What is your biggest achievement in your current role?
 Driving the growth in Fleet Logistics’ Nordic business from €20 million (£17m) of assets under management to €100m (£85m). Then following this up by being given the opportunity to lead the Europe North region, including the UK, following the acquisition by TUV SUD last year.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
My dad. He put me on this path from a very young age and I’ve not looked back.

What’s your dream holiday?
Beach resort with wall-to-wall sunshine and relaxation. Simple.

Who was the last person you received a text message from?
The missus asking when will I be home.

What is your favourite sitcom?
Don’t really watch too much TV but most recently Mrs Brown’s Boys makes me laugh.

What is your favourite film?
I’m a closet Bond fan so anything 007.

What is the first thing you would do if you were made Prime Minister for the day?
Make everybody happy by increasing the number of Bank Holidays in line with some of our European neighbours. I think we all need some extra holidays to recharge the batteries.

If you won the Lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
A bigger house for my expanding family.

What was your biggest mistake in business  and what did you learn from it?
I don’t remember any specific big mistake although I’m sure I’ve made many. The most important thing is to learn quickly from them and not repeat them  – and to treat others how you would wish to be treated yourself.

What is your best childhood memory?
Our long summer holidays in the south of France with my mum, dad and friends.

You are on a desert island – what three things do you take with you?
The family, the dog and my iPhone to check the football results... and my emails.

When was the last time you took public transport and where were you going?
The Tube on the way back from football at the Emirates. Yes, I’m a Gooner.

What is your favourite restaurant dish?
Anything Italian. You can never have enough antipasti.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Travel the world before taking up a career.

What is your favourite book?
I prefer autobiographies and the last one I read took me some time... it was The Snowball by Warren Buffett.

How would you describe your leadership style?
Visionary and engaging with an entrepreneurial spirit that empowers people to succeed personally and professionally. At least, I like to think so.

What would you say is your guilty pleasure?
Definitely beer.

When did you last feel guilty about the environment?
I’m an avid recycler, so no guilt.

Who was your childhood hero?
My dad. I just loved spending time with him at weekends as a kid as, like me, he was away most weeks working. But when he came back, we used to hang out together and go to watch football.

Which historical character do you most identify with?
Margaret Thatcher. She changed this country for the better in so many ways, and many of the things we take for granted today – greater home ownership, freedom of the City, entrepreneurialism – are down to her.

What one object couldn’t you live without?
Sadly, my iPhone again.

If you could work in another profession what would it be?
I would actually like to be in procurement. Given my commercial background, I would cross the divide so that poacher became gamekeeper. I think it would be great fun.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given?
Since I kissed the Blarney Stone, my parents said I had the gift of the gab which is why I went into sales.

What is your dream car?
I’d like a car park of toys if I could, including a BMW X6, BMW M3 Convertible and a Porsche 911 Turbo. Come on Lotto.

What has been the pivotal moment in your life?
Probably last year when, in parallel with moving into a new house, I took on my new regional leadership role with Fleet Logistics. All of a sudden life took on a very different meaning and I’ve not looked back since...