Alaster Siddle

Sales director, Lincoln & York Coffee, on Tenpole Tudor, tripping up, and Fred the penguin

What was your first-ever job? Potato picking on the back of a ‘riddler’ machine with washing-up gloves underneath fingerless mittens. Not a good look!

What was your worst job interview? Tripping up on the way into the room and almost ending up in the clutches of the female interviewer.

What was the first music single you bought? Sorry but it was a picture vinyl; Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a Thousand Men.

How do you describe your job to your mates? I am in the coffee industry… although most people think that means I serve coffee and expect expert latte art when they come round to my house!

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Being thanked by temporary staff for giving them a permanent role to take up within Lincoln & York.

What is the least rewarding part? Interviewing people for sales roles. There are a lot of mediocre people pretending to be in sales to put it nicely!

What is your motto in life? ‘Out of adversity comes an equal or greater opportunity.’

What would be your dream perk? The ability to transport - I do a lot of travelling and my diary management skills are not exactly a strength.

Do you have any phobias? Rollercoasters and I don’t mix. Not sure if that is a phobia or a weakness!

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? To ensure buyers and sellers alike agree on what is an order and what is a forecast.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? The luxury of not knowing what is happening with the saga around Leeds United would be a blessing in lots of ways. And some great coffee, of course. 

What animal most reflects your personality? A penguin. Fred to be precise. Fellow fans of the book Our Iceberg is Melting will understand what this means.

What’s your favourite film and why? Jerry Maguire. So many classic lines in that movie.

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Parents’ evening for my daughter and hearing my own immortal words come back to haunt me.

Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Morgan Freeman - just to hear him say my name over and over!