Name: Ian Watkiss
Job title: Project Coordinator
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a single gay man and I live here in Armitage at the Plum Pudding Pub. I lived in Devon for over 20 years, came back due to family. My mum and dad live in Stafford, my oldest sister lives in Australia and my youngest sister lives on a yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing around. They are currently in Turkey near Marmaris .
Describe your job to a five-year-old.
Talk to adults to see if we can get them to buy a toilet
What do you like most about your job?
The people that I work with. This includes the external sales team and the internal team.
How did you get here?
I have worked in the hospitality industry for years, which has enabled me to bring my skills into the sales team here. I started in the warehouse working alongside Tina Hudson then applied for a position here in business support. Now I am a project coordinator,
What motivates you?
Saving money to go and see my sisters
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
I would love to swap with a member of the royal family; meeting people, cutting ribbons etc.
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film
My favourite line is from Pride and Prejudice (the original) “I do not cough for my own amusement,” uttered by Kitty Bennet. I use it all the time.
Your favourite app?
Instagram and X formerly Twitter
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
Working in the hospitality industry, I worked for Mitchells and Butler, at a pub called the St George and Dragon, near Exmouth. We had a sauce tray which was taken to the table so that guests could have what they wanted. I went back into the kitchen so I could top it up and as I came out of the kitchen I dropped the tray in front of everyone and got absolutely covered in all the different sauces. I then had to finish my shift which was for another six hours trying not to smell badly with a combined smell of tomato sauce, mustards etc.