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60 SECOND INTERVIEW WITH GAIL MERCER-SMITH, HEAD OF CONTRACT MERCHANDISING

SEPTEMBER 2016

What was your first job?  Office Administration Assistant for Industrial Motivation Limited, Thornbury, Near Bristol.

What is your role within the SRG Group and how long have you worked for the company?  Head of Contract Merchandising – 10 Years.

Who’s influenced your career most (and why)?  Lynne Philp.  She was the Office Manager at Industrial Motivation Limited and focused on developing her staff through positive motivation, she is now a very successful Leadership Coach.

What’s the best piece of advice you could give someone?  Think of the long game, try to predict the pitfalls before they arise and have a plan to avoid them.

What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?  I love a good spreadsheet!

What’s on your desk?  Not a lot, except for a few desk buddies, I work best with a tidy desk!

What’s your favourite holiday destination?  Skiathos (Greece), or The Lake District for walking.

What are you passionate about?  Animals.

Who’s your business or personal hero/heroine?  Dolly Parton, such a successful and creative business woman/entertainer.

What would be your perfect day away from work?  A walk in the Lakes with my wife Liz and Scamp, our dog, followed by a post walk pint in a country pub.

What’s your greatest achievement at work?  Being able to create a spreadsheet for anything and everything.

What’s your greatest personal achievement?  Finding true happiness and getting married.

What’s your favourite gadget?  Mobile phone.

What’s your favourite quote or motto?  “No one can make you inferior, without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt.

What would you choose as your last meal?  Fillet steak.

What’s your favourite pastime/relaxation activity?  Walking.

What’s your favourite music/musician?  Elvis Presley.

What’s the thing you hate the most?  Custard.

What did you want to be as a child?  Forensic Pathologist.

What can’t you live without?  Spreadsheets!

Name one person you’d like to have dinner with (and why)?  My Dad, he died Dec ’14 and I would love to have just one more minute with him.

What’s in your briefcase/handbag?  I prefer pockets!

What’s the best thing about your job?  The people, always. I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing people during my work life.

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing? Running a B&B in the Lake District.