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…

Her favourite place in Dorset is the beach, Florence Nightingale was her childhood hero, the best bit of her job is the people – and the worst is strategy and forward planning – and it’s sponge pudding and custard over melon every time “with at least a whole tin of golden syrup”.

Sam Everard, CEO, The SAMEE (Support And Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship) Charity, takes the 20 Questions’ hot seat. 

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: NCIS. It’s a people thing as I enjoy watching the dynamic between Gibbs and his team ?.

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

A: KT Tunstall.  She is my favourite singer and her song ‘Suddenly I See’ resonates with me.  As I am growing into this CEO position, she gives me the confidence to know I can do it.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: That’s easy. The people! Every person that I meet has a story to share and I enjoy learning about them and what drives them.  All my clients inspire me … they are incredible people.

Q: And the worst…?

A: Strategy and Forward Planning … YUCK. I am a ‘wing it’ type of girl and the thought of having to sit down with Wayne, forward plan, create a contingency, create a budget … boring!

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: Florence Nightingale.  She was so amazing and helped so many people by doing what she believed in.  Later in my life, I found out that she is actually a maiden aunt on my grandfather’s side.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Freshly baked bread. It reminds me of when I was a little girl and went to see my grandad.  He was a Head Chef and always made the most amazing things.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: The beach. It’s where I go to get away from everything and everyone. It’s my thinking time as I love being by the sea.

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

A: Remember that attitude is more important than anything else. We can train you to do a job but you need to come with a ‘can do’ attitude that shows me you want to be part of the team.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: Not admitting to that one … ‘whistles’… I may share that one day but it will cost you ?.

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Disabled people not getting the job they want and being overlooked. So many disabled people tell me their stories and, with a few small adjustments, they would make a tremendous asset to any business… but don’t get me started.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: That’s easy .. see the second question. That song is so important to the person I am, who I want to be and where I would like to get to. Mark, my husband, got me a meet and greet with KT in Bristol and it was the best present ever!

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

A: They need to have the SAMEE way about them. That may sound daft but my whole team are down-to-earth, they take the mickey out of each other, they pull together and they laugh .. a lot. As long as you fit in and show Wayne and I at interview that you are fun, you are in. Most of my team have a disability of some kind or a long term health condition, so we all show empathy to beneficiaries, that’s important too.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: Chilli con carne – that is my absolute favourite .. especially if I can have it in a giant Yorkshire pudding. Mmmm…

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

A: Sponge pudding and custard every time with at least a whole tin of golden syrup.

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

A: The beach. As we work literally a ten minute walk away from the Southbourne and Overcliff Beaches, we make sure we take advantage of our breaks and go for a walk.

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

A: Change the bus passes for disabled people. For some reason, unless you are registered blind or partially sighted, you cannot travel for free before 9.30am.  I would also extend supported internships to match apprenticeships so people with special educational needs of any age could complete them and not just those under the age of 25.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: The two things I would change above! It really annoys me that the government talk about the disability employment gap and yet do not change two very simple things.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: The Isle of Seil in Scotland. I went there in March as it is so peaceful and you can stand on the edge of the Atlantic listening to the waves. Perfect.

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

A: I will be ancient by then! Probably still running SAMEE and supporting disabled people with their self-employment.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: That’s a hard one as I enjoy working behind the scenes and helping. I suppose that is, as the CEO, I do 90 per cent of the delivery as I want each and every person I work with to know me like I know them. I never want to be the Chief Exec that just does strategy and drives a fast car, I want to be Sam on the Outreach Team.