What are you most passionate about?
My family (wife, four children and my mum back in Northern Ireland) and competitive sports (cycling and distance running in particular)
What do you fear the most?
I don’t do fear – or at least I try hard not to
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
No idea on that one; you will have to ask the poor souls that have to listen to me
What is your favourite journey?
Discovering the new and unexpected is something I really enjoy
On what occasion do you lie?
Occasionally to escape boring meetings, always when answering questionnaires like this
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Deplore is a harsh word! There is nothing I deplore in me – many, many areas for improvement for sure
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Your questions are very negative! You need help
What do you wish you had right now?
A cool pint of Guinness
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Quite keen on being 26 again. It is tough being 53 when you have competed in sports your whole life and you get to an age where you are working really hard only to go slower!
What would you be doing in 20 years?
Spending time with the grand kids, taking people on cycling tours of Sri Lanka, a couple of bits of work (to keep the old grey matter working) and a higher level of engagement in some of the charitable work that my wife does
What is your motto?
“Someone’s got to do it”
What do you think has been the strength behind your success?
I don’t consider myself successful; there are lots of ways I need to improve
What life lesson did you learn the hard way?
Often when we try and take shortcuts, it only leads to compromising something important
What was your favourite food as a child?
Baked beans on toast
What inspires you?
Winning, and people with real passion, commitment, energy, inquisitiveness and compassion
When was the last time you tried something new, and what was it?
I had done a lot of road cycling previously but never mountain biking until I returned to Sri Lanka in 2013. It is great fun, and a super way to deal with work stress and see some amazing places
What impact do you want to leave on the world?
I would like to have made more people smile