About Brian
I grew up in Halifax in West Yorkshire and moved to Ipswich when I was 17. I am a salesman through and through and learnt my trade selling double glazing in the good old days when you were able to knock on peoples’ doors. Having moved into the automotive industry in 1984, I worked in the retail car sector for over 35 years, selling Rover, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, to individuals and businesses. I gave it all up in 2019, to join my wife, Sue, in her business SAW Media, which publishes Essex Director, Norfolk Director and Suffolk Director, where I now manage the advertising sales for all three magazines and the website www.ukdirectormagazines.co.uk.
In my spare time, I can be found either on the golf course, or helping the kids and the grandchildren, doing their DIY, gardens, and painting and decorating, as well as providing childcare and taxi services.
Q&As
Describe yourself in three words? Sociable, persistent (that’s the salesman in me), and impatient.
What was your first job? Stacking shelves in my local shop, providing one-to-one service, and doing home deliveries; way before there were supermarkets.
What frustrates you? People who have a problem for every solution (I’ve just seen this on social media and loved it).
How do you spend your leisure time? Playing Golf! I’m not very good, but I always finish well, so I keep going back.
What’s your favourite television programme? Depends on what the wife wants to watch, as me and the remote don’t work well together.
What’s your favourite food? Full English (with black pudding), or a good Italian.
What food do you hate? Ready meals. Cooking is fun, although it gets a bit messy, especially when I am in the kitchen.
What is your biggest weakness? I’m an eternal optimist and I can’t say no to the Grandchildren.
Where are you happiest? Has to be at home with the family and Pip, our dog. My Sunday morning fry-up has become a bit of a tradition in our house, and although the kids have left home, it’s still a time when we all get together.
What was the first record you bought? ‘I don’t believe in miracles’ by Colin Blunstone, which was released in 1972. Whoops! I’m getting old.
At school, what were you good at? Absolutely nothing, apart from making it look like I was good at everything.
What one material thing could you not do without? A car. I don’t mind what it is, as long as I don’t have to walk (I didn’t say my mobile, as I hope I could survive without it).
You’d go to a fancy-dress party as? A chauffeur, as I always end up being the designated driver anyway.
What poster did you have on your bedroom wall as a child? I didn’t have a poster, but I had a framed 1966 World Cup England shirt that was signed by the team; I think my dad sold it when I left home.
How many attempts before you passed your driving test? Just one. My brother was a driving instructor which helped, along with me being given a car at thirteen. Before I passed my test, I used to drive it to school, and parked it in the teacher’s car park for three months before they caught me.
Get in touch with Brian on
M: 07793 553540
E: brian@sawmedia.org.uk
Or visit www.ukdirectormagazines.co.uk
