A weekly feature on the lives and loves of people from our city.

My day: Our document management  business is based at home so I creep downstairs to avoid waking the children and make the long walk of 20 yards to  the offices. After an hour working, I help get the children up, ready for their day. 

Once the vans and shred trucks have left the yard, I get on with the sales and marketing aspect of the business. Like many business owners I spend time on  social media, building relationships, and I  try to communicate our expertise in information security to customers and followers. We are soon to be accredited with  information security ISO27001, so we practice what we preach!

Electronic marketing is no substitute for getting out and meeting customers. This may involve going out on appointments or hosting customers here. Lunch  for me on the road is a snack, but for  anyone we host here we provide a great lunch, thanks to sandwiches from Huxley’s bakery in Malpas!

With GPS vehicle tracking and our use of electronic data devices, it is easy to monitor the daily operation as it is  critical to our business that all documents and data are delivered on time and the shred trucks complete their appointments as planned. There can be unexpected problems and ultimately it is my job, with the team here, to ensure all customers are informed of changes.

I am back on the yard later in the afternoon to see the team here, speak to the drivers and help with any queries on planning the next day.  Working from  home means the children come and find  me about 5.30pm and when they are in  bed, it is back to the office or, depending on the weather and light, time to do jobs – like greasing shredding machines or  setting up a new customer with electronic access to their files stored here.

Dress: We work in the information security business and our drivers and staff need to be identifiable when on our customers’ premises so they wear smart uniform. I wear it too when out and about.

What is the favourite part of your job? Talking to a prospect that has been referred to us by a satisfied customer.

What is your least favourite part of  your job? Dealing with administration, but I know how important attention to detail is so we have invested a lot on IT and systems to make it as automated as possible. 

What would be your dream job if you weren't doing what you do now?   Working for Land Rover Jaguar as an off-road test driver taking vehicles on extreme trips to the snowfields, jungles  and desserts around the world.

How do you relax when you are not working? We live on the Cheshire cycleway so I find nothing more relaxing than going for a bike ride to the Peckforton Hills on a summer’s evening – sometimes this can be extended for a pint at one of the great pubs in the area!

What is your favourite film? PrettyWoman wins by a whisker.

What is your favourite book?   Sadly I do not read much but Brian Tracey’s book Goals! was an inspiration to me.

What is your favourite song? Barry White’s You’re the First, the Last, My Everything. Emily taught me to dance to it for our first dance on our wedding day and not surprisingly Emily has not tried teach me any others since. It was literally our first and last but we always laugh when we hear it.

If a film was made of your life, who  would you like to play you?   Sean Connery as only he could make storing, scanning and shredding business information look cool!

Have you had your 15 minutes of fame? Not yet but I am only 40!

FACTFILE:

Name: Tom Gilruth

Job: Director Topwood Ltd

Born: Germany (my father was serving there in the Army)

Lives now: Threapwood, Malpas,

Education: Cardiff University (BSc Shipping & Maritime Commerce)

Family life: Married to Emily with two daughters, Scarlett, aged four, and Imogen, two.

We want to hear from people from all walks of life – to take part, email jo.henwood@trinitymirror.com or fill out the form below:

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Last week's Day in the Life: Managing director of the Ring O’ Bells Ian Wade .