What’s your earliest memory? On my first day at preschool I sobbed my heart out. A taxi picked me up at the end of our road. Another four-year-old, Simon Cussons, was already on board. Simon remained a friend for the rest of his life. Who are your heroes? As a child I was a junior member of Lancashire County Cricket Club and my hero was fast bowler Brian Statham. My adult hero is my late wife, Alex, who always got a buzz from helping others. What book last changed your thinking? It has to be The Nordstrom Way by Robert Spector and Patrick D McCarthy, about a US department store chain. The management chart is upside down: that told me how to run our business.