Each week we shine the spotlight on a member of Dorset’s business community and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire. This time…

His favourite smell is freshly ground coffee, he gets frustrated at bureaucracy, reckons the best thing about living and working in Dorset is the choice of outstanding golf courses and would opt for sponge and custard over melon any day. And if the custard is cold, well…

Dan Smith, Founder and Managing Director of Fireworx, the Bournemouth-based marketing agency which specialises in disruptive thinking, takes the 20 Questions’ hotseat.

Question: What’s your favourite TV show?

Answer: Right now it’s Succession on Sky Atlantic.

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

A: Ricky Gervais.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: The reveal of the creative idea, and seeing the client response.

Q: And the worst…?

A: Whenever I’ve had to let someone go.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: Jean-Luc Picard.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Freshly ground coffee.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Probably the Purbecks.

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

A: Work harder than others, keep your eye open to changes, stay humble and not to blindly accept what others tell you as fact.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A:  R.E.M – Automatic For The People

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Self-pity or ego.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: Interstellar main theme by Hans Zimmer.

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

A: Someone who’s driven to make things better.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: Roast beef with all the trimmings.

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

A: Sponge and custard – I love custard, ideally cold.

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

A: It has to be the choice of outstanding golf courses.

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

A: Pass a law to state that politicians had to enact their manifesto promises.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Bureaucracy.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: New York, New York!

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

A: Still heading up Fireworx but also involved with a number of other businesses as well, and a greater flexibility with my time between my wife, my – by then – teenage daughters and playing more golf of course!

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A:  My creative thinking.