Here’s where we shine the spotlight on a leading light in Dorset and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire.

This time…His favourite smell is cut grass; he’d like to share a car with Shakespeare; looks for energy, empathy and intelligence in a new employee and chooses his wife’s apple crumbles as his favourite food.

Peter Eales, Founder Director and General Manager of Dorset Business Angels takes the 20 Questions’ hot seat.

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

A: Springwatch.

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

A: Shakespeare.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: Talking to entrepreneurs about inventions and new ideas.

Q: And the worst?

A: Telling entrepreneurs there is no interest in their pitch.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: Alan Knott, England and Kent wicket keeper.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Cut grass.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, Dene course, hole 7.

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

A: Don’t panic. Be prepared to experiment. It sounds corny, but work hard, be prepared to learn, watch, listen and don’t just do what your family or parents do, or tell you to do. Follow your head and heart. Everyone’s different. Some people are motivated by money. Some by the joy of the work or study itself. So, to do what another says, can be wrong. And it is lucky if you get it right first time. Qualifications and experience are fantastic but there is no universal template for success.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. I played the trumpet!

Q: What gets you angry?

A: I manage this now but I used to go nuts losing at tennis. But that was counter-productive. Now I play most days and find it best to stay calm. More seriously I am angry or to be specific, annoyed, when a business or board cannot put a strategy, strategic plan or business plan together. Tactics are hopelessly short-term.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: Too many. It’s my passion. My wife and I are BSO Patrons. Here are my Classic FM Hall of Fame 3 choices for this year – Enigma Variations by Elgar, Mozart Requiem and Tchaikovsky Pathetique Symphony No.6.

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

A: Energy, empathy and intelligence.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: I adore apple crumbles made by my wife.

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

A: Melon – I put on weight too easily.

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

A: The people. I was brought up in the South East and people here are far friendlier.

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

A: Spend more money on infrastructure and services; for example, health and probation services etc. Despite all the rhetoric these services have been run down.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Personally, I would like to be a better piano player. I am learning and improving. Business-wise, I think that leaving the EU was a crazy decision for trade.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: Italy.

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

A: Hopefully healthy and doing more of the same but better and with equal energy.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: Integrity.

• dorsetbusinessangels.co.uk