George Rafferty

Feb 6 2007 By Evening Gazette

Chief executive of NOF Energy, formerly the Northern Offshore Federation.

What did you want to be when you were young?
Like many boys my age, I wanted to be a footballer and score the winning goal for Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.

I never fulfilled that dream, but on many occasions during the Sixties and Seventies I watched my team win all the trophies in Scotland and Europe.

How much was your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?
My first pay packet was £13 for a week's work as a police cadet in Lanarkshire Constabulary. I can't remember what I bought with it, but I think there is a good chance I used some of it to go and watch my favourite team and buy records by my favourite band of the time, Slade.

What's your dream job, other than your current one?
My dream job would be a tour guide on Italy's Amalfi Coast which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful place in Europe.

What's the best piece of business advice you have received?
The piece of advice I remember to this day was given to me by my section manager in my first sales job at British Steel Craigneuk Works, Motherwell. The advice was never try and remember what imperial sizes are when converted to metric sizes, just remember where to find the conversion tables. He gave me that advice after I had wrongly converted eight tonnes of specialist alloy aircraft steel, which eventually had to be scrapped at some cost to my employers.

And the worst?
Use cards when making a presentation. I did it once and made a real mess of the presentation. Now I use Powerpoint and talk around the bullet points.

What is your philosophy when it comes to business?
My philosophy is to give staff the framework in which to do their job without restricting their ability to bring their own ideas to the role, and be there to give guidance and support when they feel they need it.

What are your hobbies?
While my three sons were growing up they were my hobby. Now I get the time to enjoy reading and listening to music, although I have a feeling my little grandaughter may fast become my hobby in the way my sons were.

What's your top business or financial tip?
Gather as much information as you can before making a decision, but do not allow the process of gathering the information to cripple your ability to make the decision. In other words, act decisively but do so from an informed position.

Does anything scare you and if so what?
Heights scare me and that is why I was glad when platform shoes went out of fashion. Thankfully I have reached the age at which I am unlikely to wear them again when they make a fashion return.

What would you choose as your epitaph?
Never took the easy road but got there in the end.