The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
Paul Jennings, chairman of VisitDundee and executive director of Dundee Heritage Trust, on Star Wars, staying positive, and why he likes to go against the flow
Q Which artists, alive or dead, inspire you?
A Leonardo da Vinci. When working in the US I secured a major da Vinci exhibition for a museum I was leading. It spanned his incredible life and included recreations of his artwork, anatomical and botanical drawings and life-size models of a number of his designs which included a bicycle, helicopter and diving suit. At well over 6ft he would have stood out in a crowd. Da Vinci didn’t let convention stand in his way.
Q What was your plan B career-wise?
A Not sure I ever had a plan A? I have been leading visitor attractions for over 20 years now and have had the chance to work across the UK and US. I enjoy working in the experience economy. My very early career was in health and fitness. I guess the common thread is working with people and trying to have a positive impact on the community and the people you live with.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A Other than people and pets I’m not sure I have anything I would risk my life for...probably photos if I had the time.
Q Theme song for your life?
A Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive by Bing Crosby and covered by many more. I have my own consulting business called Xcentuate and which exists to help support cultural attractions become more successful while eliminating factors that are impeding their effectiveness.
Q Last meal on earth?
A I’ll take a simple meal as long as it’s with the people who matter most to me.
Q Dream dinner party guests?
A The original cast of Star Wars...must have watched that film 100 times growing up and I was probably the perfect age when it originally came out for it to capture my imagination.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
A Give VisitDundee a kick start. The goal is to make the most of the opportunity presented by the V&A by promoting Dundee as a short break destination, unlocking the potential in our wider tourism assets to the benefit of a lot of businesses and a lot of people.
Q City break or weekend in the country?
A Happy to mix this up, but I’m a country boy at heart. Also I love the coast so some water in sight is never a bad thing.
Q Rebel rebel or teacher’s pet?
A I’m not a big fan of doing something because that’s the way it’s always been done and I don’t mind going against the flow if I think that’s the right thing to do.
Q Early or late?
A Always late, I should really wind my watch forward 10 minutes.
Q Cats or dogs?
A Dogs but I’ll make an exception for Ruby our cat.
Q Happiest memory?
A The births of both of my beautiful girls, Charlotte and Phoebe.
Q Biggest regret?
A Life is too short for regrets, think the important thing is to learn and move on.
Q Who do you admire most
A We are fortunate to live in a community with lots of good people who dedicate their lives to improving or easing the lives of others and I am fortunate to have some involvement with Maggie’s Dundee. The whole team there does incredibly valuable work in supporting around 18,000 people.
Q And who do you detest?
A I don’t detest anyone but I am not a big fan of ego. I have a fairly well honed ego radar and do my best to walk in the opposite direction when it gets alerted.
Q What advice would you give to your younger self?
A Try lots of things, find your passion and do your best to dedicate your life to it.
Q What’s your motto?
A Semper ad meliora – always towards better things.
Q Where would you rather be right now?
A On top of a Munro. I started hill walking last summer and quickly got the bug. Love seeing views that your brain is challenged to take in – most of us have no idea just how beautiful and breathtaking Scotland is.