Dr Chris Bushby is CEO of Big C, a leading cancer charity which provides wide-ranging support for those affected by cancer in Norfolk and Waveney. Chris is passionately committed to his work with Big C in Norfolk, but has lived over the border in Ipswich, Suffolk, for many years and has a great love for the town.
Chris started his career in the Coldstream Guards and before joining Big C was CEO of the Suffolk Agricultural Association for 20 years. Chris is also a 4th Dan in Judo!
Describe yourself in three words? Focused, chilled and therefore ‘a paradox’!
What was your first job? I grew up on a farm and worked from a young age. I have happy memories following my father around feeding pigs and chickens.
What frustrates you? Indecision when a good argument is being presented.
How do you spend your leisure time? Socialising, gardening and enjoying sport, particularly lately golf.
What’s your favourite television programme? I have two which I love – Only Fools and Horses and the Big Bang Theory. Two extremes really!
What’s your favourite food? For a special meal, I love a seafood platter with lobster and langoustines and I become extremely concentrated in protecting my share.
What food do you hate? My motto is that I will try any food once – pickled herring taste lovely but are very smelly. Next time I would block my nose with cotton wool first!
What is your biggest weakness? I have been known to be impatient.
Where are you happiest? As an optimist, I try to keep ‘my glass’ topped up. Understanding the difference an organisation such as Big C provides as a compassionate and supportive service to those affected by cancer gives a true sense of humanity.
What was the first record you bought? Believe it or not, I have only ever bought two – Donna Summer’s MacArthur Park and Rocking All Over the World by Status Quo.
At school, what were you good at? I am dyslexic and, thanks to my parents and English teachers who recognised my learning difficulties at an early age, I learnt methods to overcome it and became good at English, particularly in creative writing and vocal presentations. I was determined not to let my dyslexia hold me back and friends and work colleagues have always been supportive and understanding.
What one material thing could you not do without? With dyslexia, technology has been my saviour, helping me to write and communicate much faster and more effectively. Tools such as predictive text, auto-correct spelling and grammar checks are an enormous help. Dictation systems have become my pen.
You’d go to a fancy-dress party as? At university, I went to a party dressed as a drag queen and was told I looked rather good!
What poster did you have on your bedroom wall as a child? Clint Eastwood – The Good the Bad and the Ugly.
How many attempts before you passed your driving test? One, as on the farm I was driving vehicles from a young age. When I began to drive on the roads, it was a shock that people move out of the way for tractors, but not for cars!
