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 expensive perfume, he loves seafood, chooses the Maldives as his favourite holiday location and gets frustrated by passwords and not being able to get a haircut (our picture was taken pre-lockdown as his current appearance could shock readers of a nervous disposition!)

Paul Collins, Photographer and Videographer, PC Visuals, takes the 20 Questions’ hot seat. 

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: Our family have moved on to streaming services a lot during the last year, some highlights have been Ozark, Your Honor and The Morning Show (Jennifer Aniston doing proper drama very well, who knew?) plus, being northern, I’m still partial to a bit of Corrie.

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

A: Donald Trump and Barack Obama to watch them debate and see Obama destroy every one of Trump’s morally corrupt arguments.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: Getting satisfaction from clients liking the results of my work.

Q: And the worst…?

A: In the past my job kept me away from my family too much. Working a lot from home now they sometimes wish that time would come back!

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: There were a multitude of rock stars but then I realised I didn’t have the co-ordination to play guitar so couldn’t emulate them.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Makes me sound like Swiss Toni from The Fast Show but the smell of expensive perfume. On a beautiful woman or man!  I’m going to have to put my money where my mouth is now and buy some for my wife.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Sitting on the beach at Shell Bay on a hot sunny day is hard to beat.

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

A: Work out what you want to do, work hard, be honest and respect those around you. Whatever level you reach always retain the desire to learn. Hard work and not being an ar**hole will always get you far.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: Roxanne by The Police

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Abuse of power and dishonesty. Anyone who thinks a title, position or situation gives them the authority to behave how they wish. I value integrity and humility greatly.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: I’ll never forget hearing the first chords of Hells Bells on Back in Black by AC/DC after buying it on the day of release. Although my tastes diversified as I got older the music I listened to as a teenager influenced my love of music photography in my career.

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

A: Though not in that position at the moment, when I was interviewing for staff in the past an engaging personality and a desire to work hard was very appealing. With one particular vacancy a candidate interviewed so well we just wanted to have him on the team, he was warm, honest and humble but showed great desire and ambition. His portfolio may not have been to the standard of other candidates but his hard work and attitude meant it wasn’t long before he surpassed them. He has gone on to do great things and his work is now superb. However, don’t do what one interviewee did and turn up with no portfolio, strength of personality can’t get over that.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: I love seafood. You can’t beat the lightness of sea bass or the flavour of a king prawn dish.

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

A: The sponge pudding, though with lockdown weight it’s going to be melon and the gym in the not too distant future.

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

A: When I first arrived in Bournemouth and saw the view as I drove past The Royal Bath Hotel I thought I was in heaven, such a contrast to the industrial northern towns I had been working in. I love that you can work in such a beautiful environment, and the backdrops they can give for my work, plus no motorways to spoil the view.

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

A: Increase the pay rise for NHS workers, I certainly wouldn’t mind paying a little extra in tax to support it.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Passwords – our whole lives are controlled by them – and, at the moment, not being able to get a haircut!

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: The Maldives, as close to a desert island paradise as you can get. Short haul, we loved the Dordogne a couple of years ago, so unspoilt and so few McDonalds.

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

A: I hope with ten years of successful business behind me. Pandemic or not, this was my time to work in my own business.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Being a good person to have had around. People should always feel better when you’re in the room and have gained something from knowing you.