From customer to colleague; meet Neil Berry, our Engagement Director. Since joining us last April, Neil has propelled Affari to the next stage of our growth and we cannot wait to see what happens next!
How did you find your way to Affari?
I was a customer of Affari for around 3 years during my time at Fujitsu and Valtech; then one evening over a few beers in a pub, I started chatting to a few members of the team about how they were doing the job that I always wanted to do, quite organically, this turned from just inquisitive chats to eventually, more serious conversations, and in the end I was asked to join the board! An opportunity I couldn’t really refuse!
What are the three best things about yourself?
1 – First and foremost, I’d like to think I’m a good dad. I prioritise my family and love spending time with my kids… even if they do infuriate me at times!
2 – I enjoy a good dance, mostly at gigs…so maybe “dancing” is more of a loose term! Crowdsurfing is a good pastime of mine!
3 – I’m a smiler, it’s very rare you won’t see me smiling.
What’s one of your best experiences?
It’s a hard one to pick out but I’ve got to say that my wedding day was just superb; everything was exactly how we wanted it to be, we were even really lucky with the weather, it was truly an amazing day!
What other interests do you have other than Affari?
My number one interest is definitely music; I have thousands of songs on my Spotify account and around 800 CD’s in my loft… although I can’t listen to them anymore because we don’t have a CD player in the house, go figure! I do have a wide and varied taste as well, I will listen to all genres like Motown, Hip-Hop, Indie, Dance, Metal, Punk – anything really.
Besides that I’m into my running, as seen recently when I completed the London Marathon.
And of course, being a dad!
What’s your favourite quote and why?
I’m not really much of a quote person, but it would probably be a piece of advice my step dad gave me when I was around 15 years old – “To always listen to someone else’s view and approach, as it’s likely to be different to your own and that way, you’ll always learn more”.
For some reason, that advice just stuck with me and I use it all the time; I always have the patience to sit down and genuinely listen to someone.
What’s #1 on your bucket list?
Number one on my bucket list is to ride down the Inca Trail in South America on a motorbike, like Che Guevara; I’d love to travel and see different countries such as Peru, Argentina, Brazil, etc – However, I’m saving this for when I’m older!
You’re always going to Pret, so what would you say is your perfect meal from there?!
Easy!
Breakfast = Salmon and Egg baguette with a brew!
Lunch = Chicken pesto salad with a still water…
Afternoon Snack = Chocolate brownie with another brew!
If you were a fruit, what would you be and why?
I’ve had two ‘fruit based’ surnames (Bramley and then Berry) so I’d have to stick to the Berry side and I’d be a Strawberry… I’m currently burnt from the sun!
What is one of the funniest things your children have ever said?
It has to be from my daughter Connie, she comes out with all-sorts! Recently, the four of us were watching a film on the couch; Lou, Beau and I were having a casual conversation and Connie grabbed the remote, paused the film and said “Excuse me, I am watching a film, will you please be quiet!” turned around and resumed the film! She is very sassy for a three year old…
