WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? After a very heavy Sunday paper round when I was a boy, in my first summer of university I worked in an electronics factory in Tonyrefail (a small Welsh Valleys town) called '
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST ROLE IN FINANCE/INSURANCE? After graduating from
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BUILD A CAREER IN FINANCE? I remember halfway through studying my A Levels and telling our school careers adviser I wanted to be a vet. She said something along the lines of "Geraint, you've chosen totally the wrong subjects, so you can either start A levels again or choose a new career".
I was studying English, French and
Economics, and so the obvious choice was to follow in my father's footsteps and train to be an accountant - as did my brother, and both his wife, and my wife.
WHAT'S ONE THING YOU LOVE ABOUT THE
When I'm in
I'm running the London Marathon in a few weeks and I can't wait to soak up the atmosphere.
AND ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE? If we could have fewer traffic jams across the city that would be lovely. AND HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING THE
ONLY WELSH COMPANY IN THE
I still remember vividly the day we floated. There was a real buzz in the office as our colleagues celebrated. Every year we still award our people with shares in the business to thank them for their dedication and allow them to - quite rightly - share in the success they help us create. The week after the IPO, the founders gave mini bottles of champagne to all the staff - I still have mine! (It is looking a bit murky though!) Admiral's longevity in the
WHAT'S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE LUNCH OR DINNER?
My wife and I aren't too far from away from being empty nesters (bar the Cockapoos), so we try to have as many memorable family dinners as possible when we're all together.
AND ANY CITY FAUX PAS? On my first day of my first proper job (at EY) I was chatting to someone, who went on to become my wife, when the boss of the region came to talk to us.
I stumbled backwards and launched a glass of orange juice over his white shirt. That was awkward. I was also wearing a very low-quality three-piece suit which received a lot of (undue) abuse.
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT? Tough one - I'm proud (and very lucky) to work for a great company with really brilliant people, but I probably should say I'm most proud of my two boys. One is just about to do his A levels and the other is in his second year at university. So far so good with those two - mostly my wife's work to be fair.
AND WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO?
I've been massively lucky to have great bosses from day one at Admiral. All five of them have been excellent and helped me throughout my Admiral career. They include Admiral's founders
Likewise, our current Group CEO,
But mainly I have to say Jürgen Klopp. Not just for being a top-two premier league manager of all time, but also his unconditional love and loyalty to Liverpool FC - admirable qualities.
ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC FOR THE YEAR AHEAD? Despite what my colleagues might say I'm a pretty glass half full person.
We have just reported a solid set of results and
WE'RE GOING FOR LUNCH, AND YOU'RE PICKING - WHERE ARE WE GOING? I love Japanese food. Shall we go to Sushi Samba? The lift, the view, the food. I had my first visit a few months back - won't be the last.
AND IF WE'RE GRABBING A DRINK AFTER WORK? I've had some great evenings in the Red Lion on
More often it'll be in my local in
WHERE'S HOME DURING THE WEEK?
Home for me is just outside
There are also fewer distractions than at home with two Cockapoos barking. AND WHERE MIGHT WE FIND YOU AT THE WEEKEND? Right now, I'm doing a fair bit of running in preparation for the London Marathon. My third time and I love the day (the training not so much). I'm raising money to support Tenovus, a brilliant Welsh cancer charity.
After nearly 30 years on the waiting list, I've just managed to get season tickets at
I love
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