Penny Speed meets... Martin Milliner, LV general insurance claims director

What was your first ever job — and were you any good at it?
I worked for my dad’s upholstery and house-furnishing business, where I learnt you should never work for your parents

If an MP3 player really could only hold three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
With or Without You by U2. Paradise by Coldplay – it reminds me of the fantastic summer of 2012; and Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis

Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Kim Basinger

My colleagues won’t know this about me but...
I’m a business mentor for the Prince’s Trust currently supporting a young person during the start-up phase of her shabby-chic furniture business

Favourite book of all time?
I don’t really have a favourite, but I’ve just read Dominion by C J Sansom. It’s a thriller set in the 1950s about what might have been if World War II had ended differently

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Never be frightened to surround yourself with people who are better than you

What would be your chosen superpower?
I’d be a mind reader – I probably need to add this to my development plan

If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what change would you instigate and why?
I’d do something meaningful and radical about the personal injury whiplash claims problem

How would a typical school report about you read?
Martin could become a professional cricketer. Sadly they were wrong

My top tip for climbing the insurance career ladder is...
There’s no substitute for hard work. Be tenacious and don’t let setbacks blow you off course

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Peter Horton in all senses, with the exception of dress code

When I’m not working I like to...
Play sport, watch sport and spending time being a taxi driver for my children

Last film you saw?
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

If I wasn’t working in insurance I would probably be...
Either an archaeologist or doing voluntary work for the Prince’s Trust

Name your five ideal dinner party guests (dead or alive) noting what they bring to the party
Marcus Wareing to prepare us a feast; Bill Bailey, he’s very funny and would keep us all entertained over dinner; Ian Botham to bring the wine; Tony Robinson for some animated archaeology discussion; and Madonna for a few songs  

Marmite: food of the gods or work of the devil?
Marmite on toast – a winner every time

Career high point to date?
Being made general insurance claims director at LV

What do you say when strangers at a social gathering ask what you do for a living?
I say I work for LV, the one with the green heart, and the first question people always ask me is if I can get them a discount on their insurance

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
I’d go back to the 1600s around the time of the English Civil War and the Cavaliers and Roundheads. I’d get some good wear out of my Adam Ant, Prince Charming fancy dress costume

Would you like to be probed by Penny on one of her speed meets? Get in touch via Stephanie Denton.

This article was published in the 19 September edition of Post magazine.