Those of you who know me well, will know I have no problem talking about my favourite subject – ‘Me’. Yet when asked about my background it gives me even greater pride to confirm that I am from working class stock.

My father, my grandfather and indeed many of my ancestors were not the kind to sit idle – Mother still says the Punjabi version of “idle hands are the devil’s tool”.

Years ago, a senior director at the local authority rang me late one evening and asked me as CEO of Disability Direct to write my views on the future of day services for disabled people. The deadline was 9am the following morning! Whilst not necessarily refusing her request, I did however explain that I was already running to another deadline. She then followed her request with an adage – “if you want something doing, ask a busy person”. You can work out for yourselves what happened next.

Either I’m a sucker for adages or I’m just a damn fine chap! – Me thinks, the former! On the subject of my ancestors, watch this space for news on the book about my ancestry that I have almost finished (started it in 2007 – will actually finish it one day). It will be available in the ‘downloads’ tab soon.   Back to work…..