In a sentence: tell us what you do at News UK?

I help to ensure that staff have the essential kit they need to do their jobs, from tablets, mobile phones and laptops to software and hardware.

Lay a bit more detail on that — what’s a typical day?

A typical day would start with checking the mailbox and responding to any inquiries received overnight. It would also include: authorising payment for goods received; emailing vendors for quotes and raising purchase orders based on the quotes received; releasing hardware to engineers to prepare for requests for new hires or replacements for defective kit; attending a daily team meeting to ensure that everyone knows their respective area of focus and has the opportunity to share, collaborate, ask questions and check on each other. We are a very busy team with a sizeable workload so these daily catch-ups involve a fair amount of banter; we end the week with a choice of “Friday song”. There are no actual prizes, just the kudos of picking the best song.

What’s the most interesting part of your job?

Sometimes we are asked to do the nigh-impossible: we might get a call or email at the eleventh hour saying, “We need this, that and the other by first thing tomorrow morning as we have a new starter.” Nine times out of ten we manage to pull it off, even if it means calling in favours from suppliers out of hours or asking engineers to re-order their work to ensure that the kit is ready on time.

Without blushing — tell us what makes you passionate and purposeful in doing what you do?

I genuinely like helping people and gain immense satisfaction when we as a team successfully help someone out of a jam. It could be someone needing specialist kit to work from home who has RSI, neck or eye strain, or someone urgently needed to replace a laptop that no longer has a decent battery.

Last book, film, series, and music you consumed?

My wife and I love going to the theatre and our last treat was to see the musical Hamilton, which we can highly recommend.

Last holiday destination? And why?

Croatia. I love the sun and found the people of Croatia warm and friendly: they retain an “old world” charm and often thank you for simply browsing in their souvenir shop.

You’ve won ten million on the Lottery — what do you do?

I don’t actually play the lottery but if I won I would start by helping a list of people I know to pay off their mortgages. I know a lot of unsung heroes who care for their relatives, neighbours and friends. I would love to charter a plane and take them all on a five-star holiday. I also know lots of youngster who are struggling to get on the property ladder. I would also want to see that our children, nieces and nephews are sorted. This is only using the interest — I haven’t started on the capital yet! — but you get the idea. I would get such pleasure from giving.

What was the last gift you gave to someone — and why?

Chocolates and flowers to my gorgeous wife on Valentine’s Day.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your role?

There are two that spring to mind. I don’t find confrontation easy so the day I had the job of telling someone that their contract was not going to be renewed was tough. In fact, it started out OK but by the end of the conversation I thought he was going to hit me. He later apologised. The other conversation some years ago involved a junior staff member and their personal hygiene. I was really stressed about how I would broach such a delicate subject but the individual in question did not even bat an eyelid.

Who inspires you the most within News UK?

A former Advertising Director, Alan Butcher: he was a great listener, kind, compassionate, gracious, fair-minded and had a strong sense of right and wrong. He mentored many members of staff during his many years in the company and gave up his time to help where and when he could, despite being very senior and very busy. He is now retired and continues to help elderly neighbours and anyone in need.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

When I was interviewed for the job, the one question I remember is: “How well do you get on with people?” If you are helpful and willing to go out of your way, people will generally reciprocate.

Who is your role model? And why?

My role model is Jesus: he demonstrated servant leadership — in other words he put the needs of his followers before his own. When there were no servants available to wash the feet of the disciples he willingly assumed the role and washed their feet, which I’m guessing were dirty and covered in dust. He always made time for everyone and would go out of his way to help them, even if it meant taking a detour and changing his plans. He was not judgmental but compassionate and forgiving. That said, he was not a pushover and was courageous when the situation called for it: he did not mince his words and could be very direct where needed. He also showed amazing patience when his disciples needed to be given a further explanation or a reminder of something they had already been told. He accomplished so much and died at the age of 33. No wonder the author Ken Blanchard cites Jesus’s example of management and leadership as the basis for his bestseller “The One Minute Manager”.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

When I was 18 I was advised: “Put your money in bricks and mortar, you can’t go wrong son.”

And lastly, could you tell us a bit more about being the chair of our Christian Fellowship and what it involves?

The Christian Fellowship has provided help, encouragement and support to many members of staff, family members and friends in times of need. Serving others in this way has been hugely satisfying. I have had the pleasure of chairing the Christian Fellowship for about 18 years, and over that time we have seen tremendous growth and interest in the Fellowship. We often invite guests from all walks of life to our weekly meeting (each Wednesday 1–2pm, in-person and online — do come along!) to share their personal stories of faith. We have had some high-profile guests, including the boxer Nigel Benn, the former cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby — an event that attracted record attendance (I think it was more than 250 people from across the company) and is still being talked about today. We also share a wonderful partnership with Southwark Cathedral, where we are invited for private tours of the cathedral and assist with the annual company carol service. The Fellowship has grown from about half a dozen people meeting in a small back room to more than 60 members and has gone from relative obscurity to being included on the induction tour for new starters. It is part of the company-accredited networks, with regular articles on the intranet and newsletters as well as online and in-person weekly meetings. We exist to serve the News Building community.