Steve Collinson

Name: Steve Collinson
Position: Managing director
Company: Fairport Containers

What did you want to be when growing up?
When I was a slip of a lad I had a good friend whose father was a horse breeder and he had 27 of them. I used to spend a lot of time at his place and got into horse riding and was pretty good at jumping. Because I was a scrawny little thing I fancied myself as being a jockey, but then things took over and it never came about.

What was your first wage packet and how did you spend it?
I got my first wage packet aged 16 when I was an apprentice steel fabricator for the Fairport group. It was £18 and I was saving up to buy a shotgun to go shooting with my friend.

What does your day-to-day work involve?
We repair, refurbish, sell and hire commercial waste containers and as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the firm, I am responsible for health and safety regulations, buying and selling stock, developing business opportunities and I am the main point of contact for clients.

How do you unwind?
I like to play golf and am a member of Charnock Richard golf club. I have been playing about three years and try to get a game every Saturday. I also play five-a-side football on a Friday.

Describe your dream, no expense spared day out:
I would play golf with Lee Westwood at Augusta Golf Club when all the trees are in bloom. Every green is surrounded by different flowering trees that look absolutely beautiful when they are blossoming. I think that would be an ideal day and hopefully I could pick up some tips from Lee.

Who is your all time hero?
My brother is currently going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy and he manages to stay so positive and chirpy that I just don’t know how he does it. He has throat cancer so he can’t eat properly, he has to be fed through a tube, but the way he is dealing with it is inspirational and it makes you realise you shouldn’t be complaining about small things that don’t really matter.

What is your favourite piece of advice?
If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.