This month we chat with David Todd, Managing Director at Gleaner Ltd.
“If you get 2 out of 3 decisions right, you are beating the odds.” David Todd
Give your career history in 25 words or fewer.
Student jobs aside, I have only worked for 2 companies. The first was involved in industrial polymers, and then I joined Gleaner – over 20 years ago.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Reliable. Patient. Prickly.
What were your childhood / early ambitions?
To reach adulthood.
Describe your dream job (if you weren’t doing this?)
Top Gear presenter.
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Keep your powder dry!
Share your top tips for business success.
If you get 2 out of 3 decisions right, you are beating the odds.
What’s your most recent business achievement of note?
Managing the business with the team through covid.
Tell us your greatest fear
Having to drive an EV.
Which is most important – ambition or talent?
Ambition.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Interacting with people, whether it be customers or colleagues.
Which is the quality that you most admire?
Honesty.
What are you most likely to say?
Can you take your time and explain please?
What are you least likely to say?
There is absolutely no problem with you regularly turning up late for work.
Describe your perfect day.
Skiing in the morning and a walk on a sandy beach in the afternoon – possible where I live.
Do you have a favourite sports team?
Scotland Rugby union team.
What’s the biggest challenge of our time?
World peace.
Cheese or chocolate?
Neither – a lager.
Share your greatest personal achievement.
Completing my first marathon at 50.
What’s your pet hate or biggest irritant?
Cats.
If you were on ‘Mastermind’ what would your specialist subject be?
Geography.
If you were elected to government, what would be the first law you’d press for?
Removal of Holyrood’s devolved power over income tax bands.
If your 20-year-old self saw you now what would they think?
Heh baldy–you are wearing badly.
What is number 1 on your bucket list?
Remain in fine fettle into my 80s.
What 3 things would you take to a desert island?
Kindle, home brew kit and a bottle of Dalwhinnie.
Tell us something about you that people would be very surprised by
One day I might be forced to drive an EV.
Who would you most like to ask these questions of?
Greta Thunberg.
Image supplied by David Todd, Gleaner Ltd
