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…

She’d like to share a car with Eddie Izzard, chooses She-Ra as her childhood hero, gets angry at politics and says her biggest frustrations are getting trapped in phone queues, being kept waiting, bad service and losing at cards.  

Lizzie McManus, Founder, Warrior Agency, occupies the 20 Questions’ hot seat.

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: How is the first question this hard?! I love a good TV show. My favourite genres are period dramas, murder mysteries (Agatha Christie style), but probably just beating those two, comedy. So what’s my favourite? Peep Show, Fawlty Towers, Green Wing, Blackadder, I can’t choose one. Sorry!

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

A: Eddie Izzard. Her humour kills me. That bit when she does the stand up in French, amazing. Also I admire her political views, and being quite opinionated myself I think we’d have some interesting debates as well as lots of laughs.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: Being an ethical agency means everyone we speak to, whether they’re our clients or potential clients, are all really cool businesses who are doing amazing things to help us all transition to a more sustainable future. Without a doubt this is the best bit of my job. I spend my whole day surrounded by positive news, solutions, and inspirational people. I go home every day buzzing and with a huge smile on my face.

Q: And the worst…?

A: That’s hard, but I guess it would be that there’s not enough hours in the day. I really want to do everything but I just have to be patient. We’re only five months old.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: She-Ra. I used to pretend I was her in the playground in Ad Astra, my first school, I thought she was awesome and kicked ass!

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: The sea. I’m a Dorset born, Dorset bred girl and there’s something very comforting about the smell of the sea. it smells like home.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: This is easy. Although I live and work in Southbourne, and I really do love it for so many reasons, my favourite place for escapism is Worth Matravers. We go in the van and stay overnight, have pasties and pints in the Square & Compass, walk down to Chapman’s Pool, go for a swim, wander round Winspit caves and then stop for brekkie in Corfe on the way home. That’s one of my favourite ways to spend a weekend.

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

A: Hmm, tough one. I changed career in my late 20s from media sales to PR. I knew I didn’t want to work in sales anymore but I had no idea what I did want to do. I took a couple of years out living abroad teaching English which were invaluable for me as it gave me the time just ‘be’ and led to me finding my new direction. My advice would be to not get too hung up on goals or time. Do what’s right for you. You spend more time at work than you do doing anything else so make sure you enjoy it!

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: I’m not sure whether I should be embarrassed or not. Let’s go with not. It was the first single from the Spice Girls: ‘Wannabe’. I loved how feisty they were. I listened to those couple of tracks over and over again until I knew all the words.

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Politics. I get very frustrated with the general incompetence and injustices often demonstrated by governments (not just ours!).

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: Again, super tough. If I had to go with one it would be Peter Green’s Oh Well Part One.

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

A: Fighting spirit, a desire to change the world, strength of character, keen attention to detail, independent thought, positive attitude, and a GSOH. Sounds like a dating ad doesn’t it?

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: My gran’s paella was the first thing that came to mind…mmmmmm.

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

A: No brainer for me. I love custard so very much. I have been known to just order a bowl of custard for dessert in the past. I’m hoping this is a sticky toffee pudding kinda pudding too….mmmmm.

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

A: Being so close to the beach, I love going to the beach for meetings, after work for a walk, drinks, dinner, how can you beat that? You can’t, we live in the best county in the country.

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

A: Ban single use plastic – there are so many alternatives, we just don’t need to be using it still. I would also stop using fossil fuels, subsidise renewables, invest in public transport, stop HS2, ban nuclear (weapons and power – both are way too risky), chase tax evading corporates, increase minimum wage to £10 per hour, introduce proportional representation, make university free for all, increase social housing so everyone is housed, invest in the NHS…it’s going to be a busy first day!

Q: What are your biggest frustrations?

A: Getting trapped in phone queues, being kept waiting, bad service, losing at cards.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: We always try and go somewhere new every time we go on holiday. The one exception to that is Barcelona. We just love it there, it’s such a fun city. We stay in the same awesome apartment and we often meet up with friends there so it’s a good time place for us. Viva Barcelona.

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

A: Surrounded by a superb team of warriors working on awesome campaigns that make a difference to people and the planet.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Helping to enact positive change. Oh, and for being fun to hang out with, for being a good friend, and maybe, most importantly, for dancing like I’m in a music video. Always.

• warrioragency.co.uk