THE BEANCOUNTER WH0 BECAME A TECH NERD

Family: The 45-year-old is married to Samantha, an accountant, currently working in education. Two children, a boy 14, a girl 15

Hobbies: Road and mountain biking, supporting Manchester United, exploring new technologies

Favourite gadget: iPad Movie: The Hangover with Bradley Cooper

Books: Likes ‘ business orientated books’ such as Good To Great by Jim Collins

Education: Bury Grammar School, read accountancy at University of Cardiff

Inspired by: Two uncles who were accountants

Career: Joined KPMG and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1993. Moved to KPMG in Hong Kong in 1995. Left in 1998 and joined Hutchison in Hong Kong working for Li Ka Shing, Hong Kong’s richest man. He ended up at Three, one of Hutchison’s mobile phone ventures.

Working Day: An early riser who between 7am and 9am clears emails and maps out rest of his day. From 9am involved in back-to-back meetings. Finds time for a breakfast of Weetabix, muesli or sometimes porridge at local café. Uses the BBC app to keep abreast of news as the day progresses. Tends to work through lunch. If he is training for a triathlon will go for a lunchtime swim. Stays in the office until 6.30pm and then home to Marlow to have dinner with the family. Avoids business meetings and dinners in the evening.

Spare time: Tries to do one triathlon a year at least which means time in the gym or on his road bike. Relaxes by watching movies and sport on TV. Also enjoys testing new technology.