Jim has been involved in events for over 30 years, giving him extensive experience providing consultancy on stage barrier configurations, crowd movement, audience physiology and site issues. He has a solid work ethic and passion for achieving safe sustainable projects.
He believes that strong communication and detailed logistics are also essential for a successful event; to work under pressure, in adverse conditions and to a dedicated timeframe, takes all of these skills to be successful. He also feels that working alongside Health & Safety personnel, Security, Fire Officers, Local Authorities and Promoters for this amount of time needs a fair deal of patience and understanding!
Welcome to the interview, Jim.
How do you start your day?
I start most days in the gym for an hour. Fitzroy Lodge in Lambeth.
What was your first job, and what is the worst job you’ve ever done?
My first and WORST job was my engineering apprenticeship at Rolls Royce. I hated it. Being told what to do by jobsworths and it was boring.
What advice would you give to others about furthering their careers?
To further your career? I don’t know really. I would say, be honest, open and don’t take abuse of any kind from anyone. But I’m old fashioned!
Who inspires you and why?
My kids inspire me. They are the future.
Do you think a talent to lead is nature or nurture?
Nature.
How can a leader fail? Do you have a personal example?
Leaders fail by having an ego. Adolph Hitler and Kanye West.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are focus and persuasiveness. My weakness is catering and understanding current music.
What do you find most challenging about being a leader?
Being a leader can be a lonely place when things go wrong and a crowded place when things are rosy.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my development of stage barrier systems and barrier layouts.
What’s your biggest self-indulgence?
My biggest self indulgence is motorcycles.