Stephen, chief executive Europe of the Whittington Group, believes hard work pays off, but he prefers the non-mundane part of his job.

Where were you brought up?
I was born in Middlesex and spent my early childhood within earshot of Twickenham Rugby Stadium. Subsequently, my father's career took him to Essex where I still live.

What was your childhood ambition?
Aside from scoring the winning try for England to clinch the grand slam or slotting home the goal to win the FA Cup final for West Ham then careerwise, I wanted to be some sort of technical engineer. I certainly did not plan to be in insurance!

What is your favourite film?
The Godfather.

What was your first job?
It was with Lloyd's Policy Signing Office checking policies.

What do you find hardest about your job?
It is trying to motivate myself to do anything that is mundane. Fortunately, most of what I have to do is far from mundane.

What is your favourite part of your job?
The ability to influence the outcome.

Do you keep any pets?
Three dogs, all boxers: Lenny, Henry and Holly.

What is the best advice you have been given?
Your first impressions are usually right.

What would your ideal job be?
I think I have been fortunate doing what I do.

What's your favourite food?
A home-cooked Sunday roast.

What really annoys you?
A laissez-faire attitude, poor service and petty bureaucracy.

What advice would you offer someone starting out in the industry?
There are great opportunities, if you want them. Work hard and enjoy it.

What was the last book you read?
“A Shooting Man's Creed” by Sir Joseph Nickerson.

If someone at a dinner party asks you what you do for a living, what do you say?
I work in insurance sector but before you ask, it's a “No Claims Bonus” not a “No Blame Bonus”!

If money were no option, where would you like to live?
England. In the country, away from the hustle and bustle, you can't beat it.

Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?
The Prime Minister. He would have no one else to listen to but me.

How do you relax?
Nowadays it is watching rather than playing sport. Enjoying country pursuits and generally messing around in the garden.

What was the first album you ever bought?
It was sometime before my pocket money stretched the cost of an album but I recall the first single I bought was “She Loves You” by the Beatles - it was a long time ago.

How stressful is your journey to work?
I commute by train and if everything works at it should, not at all. But if things go wrong without any obvious reason or explanation, it can then be fairly stressful.

Dress-down Fridays - yes or no?
No, only because if it is appropriate in your business to have a dress-down code, why restrict it to Fridays?

Are you a technophobe?
No but that does not mean that I am expert nor that I know what I am doing.

What would you like to be doing in ten years' time?
Enjoying the fruits of my many years of labour.