Penny speed meets ... James Cooper, sales director, William Russell
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own 'speed meeting' column? This week, it's the turn of William Russell's James Cooper.
What was your first ever job - and were you any good at it?
Landscape gardener - a career that came to an abrupt end when my mower snared the net on a client's pristine lawn tennis court, leaving a gaping two foot hole
If an MP3 player really could only hold three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
Love Song -The Damned; Straighten Out - The Stranglers; Down in the Tube Station at Midnight - The Jam
Who was your top teenage pinup?
George Best. Not exactly a teenage pin-up, but certainly a genius on the football field
My colleagues won't know this about me but ...
There isn't much my colleagues don't know about me, but what there is I wouldn't want them to know
Favourite book of all time?
Jaws by Peter Benchley
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Forget gardening as a career
What would be your chosen superpower?
Invisibility - I bet you didn't see that one coming
If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what change would you instigate and why?
Make it mandatory for everyone in the UK to hold a donor card - there are thousands of people in desperate need of a transplant, with not enough organs to go around
How would a typical school report about you read?
Could do better if he wasn't so easily distracted
My top tip for climbing the insurance career ladder is ...
Hard work, commitment and good judgement - plus good fortune
What's the most annoying thing people do in your office?
Not sharing the large quantity of biscuits and cakes they demolish every day
My last supper would comprise ...
King prawn dhansak, mushroom rice, plain naan, and a couple of Cobra beers
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My wife (and family)
When I'm not working I like to ...
Travel, spend time with family and friends, walk my German Shepherd Reg and watch football
Last film you saw?
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - I was still waiting for something to happen when the final credits started rolling
If I wasn't working in insurance I would probably be ...
Repairing tennis court nets
Name your five ideal dinner party guests (dead or alive) noting what they bring to the party
George Best - champagne; Elvis Presley - food and music; Stephen Fry - intellect; Dame Edna Everage - humour; my wife - the Fairy Liquid and Marigolds (I'm going to get it for this)
Marmite: foods of the gods or work of the devil?
Food for the gods and, for any Australians reading, it knocks Vegemite into a cocked hat
Career highpoint to date?
Helping to establish William Russell as a significant international private medical insurance provider
What do you say when strangers at a social gathering ask what you do for a living?
I've been anything from Elvis Presley's manager, to a professional footballer, and even a sniper in the SAS
If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
30 July 1966, 15.00 BST Wembley Stadium
Finish this sentence: Insurance is a great industry to work in because ...
With hard work and dedication, it can be satisfying and rewarding
Would you like to be probed by Penny on one of her speed meets? Get in touch via lynn.rouse@incisivemedia.com.
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