E-Training World’s Graham Hurdle answers Barker’s Dozen

1. What was your first job?

I joined the army from school and moved into driver training after I’d left.

2. What was your first company car?

Army Land Rover.

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

I was listening to the Mamma Mia [soundtrack] CD although I’d like to point out that my wife and daughter were in the car and I’d been out-voted.

4. What one thing do you wish you could do better?

As I’m passionate about road safety and improving driving standards I wish I could find a way of getting the message through to more people.

5. What’s your biggest achievement?

My daughter, Katy – aged 4½ going on 15.

6. Who is your role model?

Anyone that has started a business from scratch and turned it into a success.

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

When I was in the army I was told to fetch a table so the regimental sergeant major could stand on it to demonstrate a drill movement. I thought it’d be funny to remove the screws on one of the legs. It wasn’t a good decision!

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

I was debating with our sales and marketing director as to what fleet size we should market a new online driver training portal to – we’ve developed it for a major fleet operator – as it’s a very exciting but only suitable to large fleets.

9. What’s in your garage?

Not my car that’s for sure! Toys my daughter has grown out of, bikes we rarely use, a workbench I never go near, a tent that I don’t know how to put up. The list goes on.

10. What’s the worst thing about your job?

Too many nights in hotels when I’m working away. It’s incredibly boring.

11. What one law would you make or change?

I think Manchester United and Chelsea should be banned from winning the Premier League for a while. Not because I don’t like them but because it’s hardly worth following football anymore when you know what the outcome is going to be.

12. What keeps you awake at night?

I thrive on finding the next best way to do something. But when I get enthusiastic about a new idea I may as well stay up all night and develop it in my mind as it won’t go away.

13. Who is your ideal celebrity date?

That girl out of the Pussycat dolls [Nicole Scherzinger]. We’d probably get on fine until she realised I’d only asked her out so that I can meet her boyfriend, Lewis Hamilton.