5 minutes with: Richard Bennett

Describe what you do in fewer than 20 words.

Get the right products in the right place at the right time for our customers within all of our channels.

What has been the best moment in your career? 

Apart from securing my current role with Ryman it would have to be when I was Country Manager for Marks & Spencer (M&S) Greece and the Greek Islands.

What is your most embarrassing industry-related experience? 

Being one hour late for my first meeting with Steve Hilleard, CEO of OPI – there were roadworks in Holborn, London. It would have been quicker for me to have walked!

What is your biggest achievement? 

Rolling out the M&S Simply Food brand in its infancy across London.

What’s the most memorable travel experience you’ve had while in the OP industry? 

A German taxi ride from the hotel to the airport when visiting Paperworld in Frankfurt – we got there in one piece… just. 

What is your favourite movie? 

The Italian Job (the original) because it is a timeless British classic.

What business book would you recommend as essential reading? 

Enter the Dragon by Theo Paphitis!

If you could invite two famous people for dinner, who would they be and why would you invite them? 

Michael McIntyre and Billy Connolly – two different generations of comedy but I believe all of the guests would have a great laugh.

What is the best way to spend the weekend?

Walking the dog and spending time with my wife and daughters.

If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy? 

I have always wanted a Red 1980s Mercedes SL convertible with the beige half leather/Burberry micro check seats, so it wouldn’t have to be a huge win. 

If you had to sing at a karaoke next weekend, which song would you choose and why? 

Gold by Spandau Ballet as it is a classic karaoke solo that I first performed at a hotel in Paphos when my wife was five months’ pregnant with our second child. I think I can quite honestly say that she has never forgotten it!

Have you ever done anything dangerous or daring? 

Not yet, but I am going to do a parachute jump on 19 May (postponed from March) with two colleagues to raise money for Comic Relief! my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/Therymandevils

Which character from a film or TV series do you think most resembles you? 

People tell me that I look a bit like the comedian Michael McIntyre from the Comedy Roadshow and that I share some of his mannerisms. I can’t quite see it myself!

Do you have any interesting collections? 

I am a real hoarder – I still have briefcases and bookcases full of old work going back to the early 1990s, just in case it may come in useful one day. It very rarely does!

What was the worst job you ever had? 

Cleaning cars for 80p an hour for a car dealership after school from the age of 14 – it was great in the summer but not so great in the winter!