1 What was your first job?

I went to work for Barclays Bank when I finished university. It was always going to be something mathematical. For some reason, I was born with an unusual aptitude for doing mental calculations. It’s just something I can do, like the maths questions on Countdown. It’s totally different to the way most people do it. Apparently only 0.003% of people are wired this way.

2 What was your first company car, and what do you drive now?

A Peugeot 306 – definitely an entry-level fleet classic. These days I drive a Range Rover Sport Hybrid or ride a BMW S1000RR.

3 What did you listen to on your last car journey?

Vince Flynn. Usually I prefer a good book to listening to music and Flynn’s espionage thrillers are brilliant.

4 What do you wish you could do better?

Play tennis.

5 What’s your biggest achievement?

Starting TMC and building it up into Europe’s leading fuel and mileage savings/compliance business.

People told me I was mad giving up a secure job with a pension to launch a spare bedroom
start-up. But if you believe in yourself and your ideas you should go for it.

6 What are your three favourite films?

Good Will Hunting and The Shawshank Redemption – probably because they feature characters with a knack for numbers. After that, any well-made action movie that I can let just wash over me.

7 What’s the stupidest thing you’ve done?

Misfuelled my new company car 12 years ago. It cost £2000 to put right and the firm made me pay. You only do that kind of thing once.

8 What was the most hotly debated topic at your last meeting?

New ways to help TMC’s customers save money on fuel and mileage. It always is.

9 What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?

Can I have mileage capture? If that’s not allowed, I’d choose something mathematical.

10 What’s the worst thing about your job?

The hours. It’s hard to switch off when it’s your own business.

11 What one law would you make or change?

I would ban laziness. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. And in business laziness often creates real problems down the line.

12 What did you want to be when you grew up?

I didn’t have anything particular in mind. I knew I was good with numbers, so something that suited that ability. I think I’ve definitely achieved that with TMC.

13 Who is your ideal celebrity date?

Carol Vorderman – who else? – at a restaurant called ‘?r2’ would be the perfect formula. Not sure what we’d order but we’d have a lot to talk about!