The Boardroom

Directors, specialist, CEOs, MBEs, PhD holders, and other higher ups… they’re all people you might meet in the boardroom. It’s a professional space where best behaviour is upheld. But these successful types are good people too! They have lives and we want to know what goes on in them. We squeeze answers out of them on subjects you wouldn’t normally discuss in the boardroom

PROFILE: Chris Stafford CEO, Curve Age: 41 From: Merseyside Lives in: Leicester City Centre Noteworthy: Worked in theatre for 20 years. Produced over 100 shows.

FRIENDSHIPS: How would you describe yourself as a friend? I’m loyal and I can always be relied on when friends need me – that’s something I really value.

ADVENTURES: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done? I agreed to go on holiday with less than 12 hours’ notice – I booked a flight the next morning. I also stood in for a TV presenter who was ill on a show called Short Change, the children’s version of Watchdog. I was the face of the programme for four episodes!

ENVIRONMENT: Where would your nearest and dearest look for you? At work at Curve because I’m here all the time and I do love it, or at a really good beach with the sun, so it would have to be abroad. HEALTH AND FITNESS: What’s your unhealthiest habit? I’m not the best cook in the world, but I always plan to cook. Unfortunately, by the time I get home, Deliveroo is far more tempting. INTELLECTUAL LIFE: What do you geek out on? I’m really getting into autobiographies because I love

learning about people’s stories. I recently read This is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay’s book about working in the NHS, and I’ve just started Alan Rickman’s Diaries, which I really recommend.

LOVE RELATIONSHIPS: What’s your best relationship advice? To listen, understand, and empathise. Often things breakdown when you don’t listen. But also, I would advise you to laugh.

SKILLS: Weirdly good at anything? Karaoke. I’m not the best singer and I spend a lot of time around professional vocalists, but I’m always game for it, and I don’t need to have a drink!

SPIRITUAL LIFE: Which of life’s mysteries keep you up at night? What happens when we die? If energy never dies, where do we go? I’d hope I’d always be with those I love. If it’s nothing, that’s actually quite miserable, so why not hope for something nicer?

CAREER: What’s the worst part about your job? I don’t have enough hours! I’m really lucky that I love what I do, and if I could just have a bit more time, I could do so much more.

CREATIVE LIFE: Outside of work, what did you last ‘create’? I really put time into birthday cards. I usually do bespoke, personalised photocards, and really think about them and how the photos tell a story about us. FAMILY LIFE: What’s your most fond memory from childhood? Christmas. I always remember it as a time of laughter and singing – there was always karaoke – and just joy and togetherness with family. Those memories are very special.

COMMUNITY LIFE: Which political topic are you most interested in right now? How can we have a system that is fairer and kinder to people? The inequalities in our society are getting wider and deeper, and those living in hardship are going to find it getting worse. How can we – and our leaders – fix that? Life’s about living, not just surviving. That needs to be sorted. WORDS BY TOM YOUNG