Biz Extra

Published: March 17, 2022 | Updated: 18th March 2022
Each week we shine the spotlight on a prominent person in Dorset and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire. This time…
His childhood hero was Gary Lineker; he’d abolish inheritance tax, or at least raise the threshold substantially, if he was PM for the day; chooses Eggs Benedict as his favourite food and would like to be remembered for always doing the right thing towards others.
Matt Williams, Head of Office, Gallagher Poole, takes the ‘hot seat’ for our popular 20 Questions.
Question: What is your favourite TV show?
Answer: The American version of ‘The Office’. I was a massive fan of the UK version and assumed the US version would be awful but it’s brilliant.
Q: Who would you like to share a car with?
A: Karl Pilkington for laughs and Sir Nicholas Winton to hear his incredible life story.
Q: The best bit of my job is…?
A: When a client needs to make a claim. Our clients invest a huge level of trust in us so that when the worst happens and a loss occurs, we are able to support them through an extremely difficult time, providing comfort that they are in good hands. This is very rewarding.
Insurance companies can have a poor reputation for trying to wriggle out of paying legitimate claims. But from experience a decent insurer, backed with a comprehensively arranged insurance programme, won’t let you down.
Q: And the worst?
A: There is a general lack of new talent choosing insurance as a career which is a shame. It can make recruitment very challenging.
Q: Who was your childhood hero?
A: Gary Lineker – his legend status peaked for me when he scored the equaliser against West Germany at Italia 90. I am convinced that England would have won the World Cup that year if we had just managed to sneak into the final.
Q: What’s your favourite smell?
A: Spanish air. The air smells different in Spain (to me anyway!) and brings back amazing memories of childhood holidays.
Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?
A: Tough one as I love Dorset. My career could have taken me elsewhere around the UK over the years but I always found it impossible to leave. Probably somewhere like Durdle Door and the surrounding areas or watching the sunrise on one of our amazing beaches.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?
A: Don’t worry too much if you haven’t achieved what you had hoped academically. It is something rightly to be very proud of if you have done well at school or university but a lack of qualifications will never be a barrier to success if someone has the right approach and work ethic.
Q: What was your first record/CD?
A: Don’t really want to say…… ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’ by Jason Donovan.
Q: What gets you angry?
A: Lack of care, both professionally and personally.
Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?
A: Not really. When I was younger, I liked some of the 90s Indie stuff – The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, Happy Mondays.
Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?
A: The ability to communicate well. Email is an important tool but will never replace the phone.
Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?
A: Eggs Benedict.
Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?
A: I’m not sure you can compare the two! Steamed sponge pudding and custard.
Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?
A: Being able to finish work on a hot summer day and still being able to enjoy the beach for a couple of hours.
Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?
A: Abolish inheritance tax or at least raise the threshold substantially.
Q: What’s your biggest frustration?
A: I try to not let things frustrate me too much, especially when they are beyond my control. That said, navigating busy supermarkets drives me insane.
Q: Where’s your favourite holiday location?
A: Center Parcs Longleat Forest before they crammed too many people in. Also, Spain and the US. I love New York.
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
A: Maybe a bit of a career progression, in the same industry. To be honest I never think that far ahead! I’ve been broking since I was 19 and each day is still different. It’s definitely an underrated career choice.
Q: What would you like to be remembered for?
A: For always doing the right thing towards others.