Andrew Gordon, forensic services partner at Pricewaterhousecoopers, in charge of the firm's insurance claims services team, has a love of the sea and listens to his mother.
What newspaper do you read?
The Times
What career did you want to have when you were a child?
I have always had a love of the sea and wanted to be in the Navy. But then my mother pointed out that nobody would want to marry me if I was at sea all year round. I evidently thought she had a good point
What was the worst business decision you have made?
Not to sell ALL my technology stocks while I was ahead. I only sold half
What do you like best about insurance?
The passion of the players within it
What would you do tomorrow if you left the insurance industry?
Go into the telecoms industry and/or run my own business. Although, for the time being, while I might occasionally talk the talk, I'm not about to walk the walk
How do you relax if you do not play golf?
I do play golf, but don't necessarily find it relaxing. When not playing golf, I tend to spend time with my family
What is the biggest insurance claim you have ever made?
Around £1,500 following damage to my car and theft of its wheels a few years ago
Who do you most admire?
Those people who always seem to have completely clear desks with no sign of any files. How efficient is that?
Do you have an unfulfilled ambition?
To do the Whitbread round-the-world yacht race. But I'd settle for the British Steel equivalent or competing in the America's Cup
On dress down Friday, what do you wear?
We're dress down whenever now. I might dress down on one or two days a week but I always tend to wear a jacket
How many people have you sacked?
None
What is your favourite quote?
Never let the facts spoil a good story – although this is not a mantra I would recommend to the insurance industry
What is your most over-used phrase?
“Best bang for the buck” – an Americanism I picked up from the Zagat's New York restaurant guide, used to describe restaurants that offer good value for money
What was your ambition?
To sail around the world (see above)
What keeps you awake at night?
My five-month-old son. And if not him, then my three-year-old daughter
What advice would you give someone starting out in insurance today?
Find a good mentor
What was your first job?
Various summer jobs including being a “brickie” and teaching dinghy sailing. But my first proper job was at Price Waterhouse, now PWC – I'm what we call a “lifer”
Where did you grow up?
Near Winchester
What is you favourite film?
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
What is you favourite book?
Lord of the Rings. But Beatrix Potter also gets a good airing these days
What is your favourite joke?
Q: How do you make a sausage roll? A: You push it. (Admittedly it probably loses something in translation but boy do I laugh every time my three-year-old tells it.)
How often do you use public transport?
Every day. I catch the train to Waterloo and then catch a bus
Who do you vote for?
That's between me and the ballot box
Are you in favour of the Euro? Yes/No?
Longer-term, yes
