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What is the most common mistake made in applications and interviews? Not identifying which area/department they wish to work in.

What annoys you the most in applications and interviews? Lack of research they have done on the company prior to interview.

What is your top tip when applying for a job? The covering letter is the most important part of your application. The first paragraph is key to grab attention. Write something different, new and inspiring!

What was your biggest nightmare interview? I guy who thought he knew it all and when he asked me questions he didn't actively listen to the answer - just kept looking out of the window or in his briefcase!

What is your most embarrassing interview moment? I can't remember ever having one. I love interviewing because I enjoy meeting people and finding out about them!

What is your favourite interview question? If they have previously mentioned that they live with their partner, I love to ask ‘How would your partner describe your personality?'. You can also ask this question of their ‘best friend'.

What is your favourite form of exercise? Road running.

How often do you get a chance to work out? 3-4 times a week.

What do you see as the biggest problem facing recruiters in the fitness industry and what measures do you think will help overcome them? Finding people with the right experience and attitude. Looking to recruit from abroad or from other industries. We'll need to increase pay to do the latter.

Is there anything you are aiming to implement this year for staff or management that you are not currently doing e.g. new training in house? We do loads of in-house training. We are looking to go for Investors in People this year.

What do you think is the best job going in the UK fitness industry? Depends what you like doing I suppose. I love my job because I love training people.

What is your favourite food? Italian. Any type of pasta is right up my street.

How many staff are there working for your organisation? 6,000

Have any of the European laws affected your job or policies? They haven't affected my job, but the European working time directive, in particular, has affected our policies.

How did you get involved in the fitness industry? Went to a industry exhibition in 1993 and gave my CV into a recruitment agency called Sports Desk (now no longer). They got me an interview at D C Leisure and the rest is history!

Approximately how many CVs does your organisation receive in the average week? Impossible to answer because some come to me but the majority will go direct to the General Managers on site - these are not monitored centrally.

Approximately how many users does your organisation have? Over 100,000.

What are the most difficult staff to recruit? Lifeguards.

What is the thing you like most about the health and fitness industry? The people who work in the industry don't take themselves too seriously, they enjoy life to the full.

What is the thing you like least about the health and fitness industry? The bad pay for certain staff who deserve a lot more for the responsibilities they have.