Name: Nick Boldock
Job title: Finance Business Partner
Tell us a bit about yourself
I live in Hull (literally a two minute walk from the office) with my fiancée Tansey. I have two amazing children (Tom, 17 and Grace, 11) and an equally wonderful stepdaughter Zalea who recently started working at Ideal Standard herself, in the Order Fulfillment team. And last but certainly not least, our dog Rollie, a black Lab/Springer cross.
Away from work I tend to be quite busy to say the least… I’m a huge music fan (some might say slightly obsessive, and I wouldn’t disagree), so as well as collecting records (for which I am running out of space, so one of the kids might have to move into the shed soon) I also trade at record fairs (pandemics permitting) and online.
I have a weekly live radio show on Hull Kingston Radio 107.4FM called the Hull Music Vault, which I produce and present, and which also includes the regional Humber Number One chart. I’ve been doing the show for a few years now and we have built up a good following.
My interest in local music led to the creation of the Hull Music Archive website about seven years ago. I run the website and social media accounts pretty much by myself. The Archive is an ongoing project which will never really end, but I’m immensely proud of it.
I’m also occasionally a writer and have been published in a fair few fiction anthologies over the years, though I haven’t had much time to focus on that recently.
Describe your job to a five-year-old
I make numbers look good.
What do you like most about your job?
I like the unpredictable nature of it and the fact that no two days are the same. The job comes with a fair amount of pressure but I like that aspect of it. It’s also great to be able to be involved in different projects and work with so many different people across the business.
How did you get here?
I joined the business almost 20 years ago, initially working in the Accounts Payable team. A couple of years later I moved into the role of Contracts Coordinator working for John Robinson (then Sales Director). Since then I’ve taken on a variety of analytical roles within the Sales and Finance functions, mainly in the Residential channel although I’m about to start a new challenge supporting the B2C strategy as Finance Business Partner. I still haven’t managed to move more than 20 yards away from my very first desk though, but maybe one day – it’s important to have goals!
What motivates you?
The satisfaction of providing good quality information. There’s also always a bit of a buzz when we land a new contract that I worked on – even if I only play a tiny part in the process it’s fantastic to see new business come over the line. Away from work, finding new young bands to play on the radio show is always satisfying – some of whom go onto bigger and better things and I get to say I played them before anyone else.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music. Or more realistically, Alan Raw who presents BBC Introducing on Radio Humberside. I’ve no idea if his Excel skills are any good but I’d love a crack at his show. You never know…
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film
I could literally spend all day quoting favourite song lyrics. I listen to music every single day and have over a thousand records in my own collection. But this one always gets me –
Now this song is nearly over,
We may never find out what it means –
Still there’s a light I hold before me,
And you’re the measure of my dreams.
Written by the great Shane MacGowan (“A Rainy Night In Soho” by The Pogues).
Your favourite app?
Facebook for keeping in touch with the world, Bandcamp for buying records and supporting local artists, and of course the Hull Kingston Radio app on which you can listen live to my radio show every Tuesday night from 7pm till 9pm (nudge nudge).
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
I once arrived back at work after the Christmas / New Year break and on getting to the side door, swipe card in hand, was surprised to find the door was locked. A nice man in the security office shouted over that he’d have to turn the alarm off, which I thought was a bit odd. Then I realised the door was locked because we weren’t due back in until the next day – I’d come back a day early. Now, obviously this was potentially embarrassing so instead of turning round and going straight home (which would have revealed my mistake) I went in and sat down for a few minutes, then left… so it would look like I’d popped in to collect something, rather than just being a bit of an idiot… I always double check nowadays…
The Hull Music Vault goes out live on Hull Kingston Radio 107.4FM on Tuesdays from 7-9pm – those not in Hull can listen live via www.hullkingstonradio.com or via the free Hull Kingston Radio app.