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Q&A: Neil Kemble
Name: Neil Kemble
Age: 48
Company: Hyder Consulting
Job: Sector director for water and ERI (energy, industry and resources)
Career: Started with John Taylor & Sons in 1981 and moved to British Waterways until 1984. In 1991, returned to Hyder Consulting - then known as Acer Consulting after the merger of John Taylor & Sons and Freeman Fox & Partners in 1998. Acer was acquired by Welsh Water
in 1993 and became Hyder Consulting in 1996.
What was your first job?
Part-time job in a toy shop at 14.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
The best part by far is when the hard work and expert thinking of the team culminates in another major framework selection or contract win. The worst part is getting up at 4am to travel to meetings for several days in a row.
What's your dream job and why?
Travel correspondent. I love travelling, and what better than to get paid for it.
What's your most treasured possession?
My camper van. It gives me freedom to go wherever I want when I want (almost).
Where did you last go on holiday?
Train and road trip taking in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and then to Bali to celebrate the New Year.
In the Hollywood film of your life, who would play you?
Robin Williams, he can be suitably irreverent.
Reveal something about yourself not many people know.
As part of rag week at Imperial College, my friends and I were involved in a charity tiddlywink fundraising event in Oxford Street. Using our intuition, we diverted into Selfridges. Only after reaching the second floor were we escorted off the premises (with charity coffers bulging).
What album is currently in your car CD player?
Lots, mainly REM, Pink Floyd and Genesis.
What's your favourite film and TV programme?
The Deer Hunter, iconic, and filmed in parts of Thailand I know well. I tend to
watch BBC News 24, but Dan Cruickshank's Around the World in 80 Treasures was tremendous.
What quote or saying do you most overuse?
"I could do without that."
If you ruled the world, what would you do first?
Invest in basic water and sanitation infrastructure for the world's poorest people.
What's your favourite joke?
Walking into an army surplus store a man asked if they had any camouflage jackets. "Yes we have," came the reply, "but we can't find them."
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