What three words best describe you?

Professional, driven, fun

Who was your childhood hero and why?

Mohandas K Gandhi for his dignity and calmness

What is your most precious possession and why is it important to you?

My father’s wedding ring; he died when I was young and there was huge symbolism in my mother giving it to me.

What is the radio/television show you hate to miss?

I watch and listen to several new programmes everyday

What is your favourite film?

Twelve Angry Men

What is your pet hate?

Lazy thinking, e.g. blind acceptance of stereotypes and scare stories.

What are you reading at the moment?

Dusting down my old economics and philosophy textbooks - sad isn’t it!

What is your favourite word?

Biomimicry - I only found it recently and it means copying structures from nature to improve engineering design.

Is there a place in the world you would like to visit above all others?

I did it a few years ago – The Taj Mahal was stunning

What do you wish you were good at?

Foreign languages

If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?

Leonardo da Vinci

What sports team do you support?

Hearts north of the border, Blackburn Rovers south of the border

Apart from the Journal what newspapers do you read and who is your favourite columnist?

The Guardian and can I have the late Simon Hoggart?

If you could make or change any law, what would it be?

Reduce the voting age to 16 – it has worked brilliantly in the Scottish referendum

What is your proudest moment?

Family aside, this will be the day the UTC opens. No contest.

Do you have any children?

Sons Ross and Callum, daughter Ishbel and one wonky rabbit.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

He tried to make things better.

Is it ever acceptable to break the law?

Only with the intention to improve it and a willingness to accept the consequences.

How did you meet your significant other?

On the other side of an interview desk!

What question do you think we should ask the next person?

What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?