Q&A: Ian Metcalfe, finance director, Serious Print Group

A youthful “50-plus”, one of keen cyclists Ian’s proudest boasts is that he has more bikes than children, not bad considering he has four of the latter. His collection also probably comes in handy to combat the effects of his sweet tooth.

What is your nickname? 
Barty stuck the longest: I had an uncanny resemblance to the French goalkeeper Fabian Barthez and even won a lookalike competition to meet him!

Why did you get into printing?
By mistake! While assisting another purely litho print company identify potential takeover targets, a turnaround opportunity with a digital business arose in which the litho company had no interest. With their permission, the foundations of Serious Print Group were laid

What would be your dream job?
Either James Bond or a professional cyclist

Who would play you in a movie about your life? 
Gru from Despicable Me

What is your dream bit of kit?
A robot to make the perfect cup of coffee and desk delivery (with a nod to colleagues who do make a good brew and kindly walk my way)

What is your favourite TV show? 
Anything with Guy Martin – a blokes’ bloke

Sweet or savoury?
Sweet! Even my two-year-old knows to hide his loot from Daddy

Who or what do you hate the most?
People who don’t learn from their mistakes

What is your favourite saying?
‘Where’s all the money gone?’ and ‘How much?’

What is your favourite album?
Anything Coldplay

Cat or dog, or…?
Prefer dogs but we have a cat, Ollie, whose speciality is covert operations

What is your greatest luxury in life?
After Eight mints

Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with?
Sir Alex Ferguson – met him once, an absolute gent

What’s your greatest fear? 
Having to get off my bike and push it uphill, any cyclists’ worst nightmare

Who or what makes you laugh?
My gorgeous girlfriend and children

Life is…?
Going too fast… always thought time would slow down as you get older, sad to say it doesn’t.