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WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG? As a child I always dreamt of becoming an airline pilot, being able to travel the world and discover new places.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FULL TIME JOB? My first full-time job was as an operational management apprentice at the Hilton Hotel Group PLC. I was fortunate enough to obtain a sponsored four-year scholarship.
WHAT’S IN YOUR POCKETS? A face mask! HOW DO YOU LIKE TO RELAX? Being able to support the community is a great way to unwind after a week at work. In my spare time I have been supporting major renovations and re-launching Newquay AFC. I also find gardening and cooking a great way to relax.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CORNWALL? The coastline. It’s where you’ll find me on a sunny Sunday afternoon with my partner and dog, ticking off another five miles or so of the 400 Cornwall has to offer.
IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE? To my dismay, I will have to say Walt Disney World (right next to the Magic Kingdom) because I just know my daughter would love this and the smile on her face would make it worth the madness.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? It was an honour to be invited to afternoon tea with the Queen in recognition of my services to further education. More recently my involvement in developing and launching the first ever operational firefighter apprenticeship in the UK has been a real highlight.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER? I once attended a three-day residential sales training event, only to arrive and discover that the entire three days was back-toback role play. This was totally unexpected and threw me out of my comfort zone.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY TWO PEOPLE FOR DINNER, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY WOULD YOU INVITE THEM? Firstly, my grandmother. She is considerate and caring and has shared many family recipes with me, not to mention she lives 400 miles away and I always love to see her. Secondly, Sir David Attenborough – needs no explanation!
IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY, WHAT MIRACLE WOULD YOU PERFORM? Eradicate Covid-19 and child poverty. With my strong Barnsley roots, for personal benefit, I would also turn water into Yorkshire Tea.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? My five-year professional plan is to continue honing the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to join a senior management team. As a proud Yorkshireman, my personal aims are to fully embrace the Cornish lifestyle by learning to surf and I’m slowly building up to exploring Cornwall’s microbrewery scene, having firmly stuck with Skinners, Sharps and St Austell Brewery since relocating in 2014. 48 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
TOM MORAN Customer development manager at Truro and Penwith College
