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 TV show is Vikings, he gets angry at online trolls, chooses rain on tarmac after a hot summer’s day as his favourite smell and believes you should work hard but make sure you holiday harder!

Matt McKenna, Co-MD, McKenna Townsend, takes the 20 Questions’ hot seat.

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: Vikings. Originally a History Channel progamme that went mainstream. Historical drama. What’s not to like?

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

A: My father. We used to have the best car journeys together and could chat and laugh about anything and everything for hours.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: Meeting lots of different people, across different sectors and getting to travel the world. It’s the perfect blend.

Q: And the worst…?

A: Really early starts. I was up at 5am recently to get to a photoshoot in London. It was well worth it in the end as the photos look absolutely stunning.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica. Seriously cool with a mischievous streak.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Rain on tarmac after a hot summer’s day. I remember the Summer of ’76 and everyone coming out of their houses in our street to stand in the rain after a long heat wave. People were literally dancing in the rain. That smell and memory always makes me smile.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Being at home with my family. I love going out and visiting all the wonderful places around the county but there is nothing quite like home.

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

A: Ask questions, listen carefully to what is being said and always give it your best shot.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: The Police: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Online trolls. Largely anonymous, little accountability and really not very nice.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: Moby’s 1999 album: Play. Loved it the first time I heard it and it’s one of my go to albums for chilling, doing sport and driving.

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

A: Enthusiasm, curiosity and not being afraid of hard work.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: Surf n’turf – lobster tails with 12 hour smoked brisket.

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

A: Sponge pudding and custard – every time.

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

A: I first came down to do the PR degree at Bournemouth University at 18 and never left because I loved it here and always felt that with all the beauty that Dorset has to offer it was like being on holiday. 32 years later and I still get that feeling.

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

A: That’s a tough one … but from an entrepreneur’s perspective I’d unleash the firepower of private pensions in the UK to supercharge the UK economy. It would release billions of pounds of private money to be invested in start-up businesses or even supporting existing companies and unleashing an entrepreneurial tidal wave of innovation and investment. Why wouldn’t you give people and entrepreneurs the choice and ability to access funds to start or support their own businesses with the chance to invest hundreds of billions of pounds of the £6+trillion currently held in private pensions in the UK? It is a once in a generation opportunity to not only help the UK and our economy out of Covid but to absolutely smash it out of the ballpark

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Not hitting deadlines and being late. I don’t like either and am a bit of a stickler for doing things in good time.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: Las Vegas!!! We try to go at least once a year and we love it there! We stay at The Wynn – our favourite hotel ever. I got married to my wonderful wife there, so we have a real soft spot for it in our hearts.

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

A: Going on more holidays. Always work hard but make sure you holiday harder!

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Being the best dad and husband I can be to my amazing family.

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