“Before making an investment, consider if you would do it if you were using your own money.”Martyn Lyons
Give your career history in 25 words or fewer.
Engineering Officer, British & Hong, Kong Merchant Navy to 1988.
33 years with Inter Terminals in various management roles. MD from 2006. CEO from 2015 to end 2020. Now an independent consultant.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Driven. Optimistic. Caring.
What were your childhood / early ambitions?
To join the Merchant Navy and sail the world.
Describe your dream job (if you weren’t doing this?)
Captain of a super yacht.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Work hard; have a defined strategy with clear objectives; strive to succeed; ensure you get a positive return on investment. Recruit the best people and retain them.
Share your top tips for business success.
Always look after your people and your customers – without these you don’t have a business. Create a team and empower them. Before making an investment, consider if you would do it if you were using your own money!
What’s your most recent business achievement of note?
Being part of a team that landed a significant contract in the Middle East.
Tell us your greatest fear.
Climate change and its consequences
Which is most important – ambition or talent?
Ambition, because without it you cannot realise your talent.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Being my own boss means that I can choose what to do!
Which is the quality that you most admire?
Trustworthiness.
What are you most likely to say?
I’m going sailing.
What are you least likely to say?
No sailing today.
Describe your perfect day.
Racing my boat in warm sunny weather with a good clear wind, and enjoying a meal and a drink afterwards.
Do you have a favourite sports team?
Newcastle United Football Club.
What’s the biggest challenge of our time?
Conflict and Climate Change.
Cheese or chocolate?
Both!
Share your greatest personal achievement.
My wife and family, being CEO of Inter Terminals and achieving my goals as an independent consultant.
What’s your pet hate or biggest irritant?
Failure to succeed!
If you were on ‘Mastermind’, what would your specialist subject be?
Slow speed marine diesel engines.
If you were elected to government what would be the first law you’d press for?
A transparent and enforceable Code of Ethics for all politicians, that is regularly reviewed and tested.
If your 20-year-old self saw you now what would they think?
You’ve aged!
What is number 1 on your bucket list?
Continuing to travel the world.
What 3 things would you take to a desert island?
My wife, my sailing boat and my mobile phone.
Tell us something about you that people would be very surprised by.
I first sailed completely around the world when I was 18.
Who would you most like to ask these questions of?
Ricky Gervais.
Image credit: Martyn Lyon
