Each week we shine the spotlight on a prominent person in Dorset and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire. This time…

The best bit of his job is the team he works with; his favourite place in Dorset is Kimmeridge; he gets angry at rude people and would slash public transport fares if he was Prime Minister for the day.

Paul Tedore, General Manager, Atlantic Marine Interiors, takes the ‘hot seat’ for our popular 20 Questions.

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: I was working away for a couple of months and I binge watched ‘Line of Duty’. Bizarrely, I started just after the last one was aired and people were saying it was a bit of a daft ending. Have to say I loved it!

Q: Who would you like to share a car with?

A: Lee Evans. I just love his personality and his jokes. If I were brave enough, I would love to do stand-up but my family say I don’t have any funny material!

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: The team that I work with. We can be away for months at a time and we all pull together and become a band of brothers for a while.

Q: And the worst?

A: Working away for long periods of time, missing family birthdays and events, and not being able to support them if I am needed.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: I didn’t really have a famous hero, so I would say my uncle John. He was always tinkering with things and making things. He gave me books on carpentry and joinery and I think that fuelled my obsession with making things for a living.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Ha-ha, that’s a funny one as I don’t really have a sense of smell. I never really have (not Covid related) but on the odd occasion I do smell something then that last smell would be my favourite!

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Kimmeridge. I just love the bay and looking for fossils. I proposed to my wife Annette there.

Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?

A: Don’t worry if you change your mind on your career, but make sure whatever you do you enjoy because you are a long time at work.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: It was a single called ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by The Buggles – you can guess my age now!

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Rude people. I always try and treat people how I would want to be treated.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: I have so many. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen, ‘American Pie’ by Don McLean, ‘Losing my Religion’ by R.E.M, ‘Africa’ by Toto, but if you push me I would have to say ‘Common People’ by Pulp – I like the lyrics.

Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?

A: Honesty, loyalty, punctuality, enthusiasm and humour. With those qualities you can pretty much teach anyone to be the best they can be.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: I don’t eat meat as I am a pescetarian, so it would have to be almost any fish or shellfish dish.

Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?

A: Easy, steamed sponge pudding and custard, that’s my favourite.

Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?

A: The beauty of the area; the forests we have on our doorstep and the countryside and the beaches. I live in a cottage surrounded by some amazing neighbours, so that’s the icing on the cake.

Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?

A: I would slash public transport fares. Germany has just done this by a massive 90%. Rail links in Dorset are pretty poor (thanks to Beeching – that was a massive mistake) but people would be encouraged to use buses and trains and reduce congestion and emissions.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Poor wages for apprentices. My industry needs people to join it, but unfortunately during your first couple of years you would be on approximately half the minimum wage. Consequently, people take a job they don’t like because it pays more.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: I have visited some amazing places for work, like Ushuaia in Argentina, Croatia and Barbados, to name a few, but my best holiday destination is Sorrento in Italy. Not sure if it’s because of my Italian roots or the fact that I feel drawn to Pompeii and the Amalfi coast.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

A: Retired, living in a smaller cottage with less maintenance and a small workshop making things for friends and family. I’d also go back as a tourist to discover the places I visited whilst working and didn’t really have the time to enjoy.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Being enthusiastic to encourage people to come into the diverse construction industry, especially those starting out as tradespeople.

• atlanticmarineinteriors.com