Sixty Seconds with Chris Taylor of Smith Cooper

How would you describe what you do to a Martian?

Filling gaps in clients' knowledge and ensuring they achieve the best results in acquisitions, sales and investments.

If you weren't what you are what would you be?

No regrets in my career or life, but probably something in sport (sadly I think it's now too late for a career in professional sport)

Who inspires you most and why?

It changes over time – I once thought Lance Armstrong was pretty inspirational! Paula Ratcliffe has inspired British sport for a long time – she will have a big career after sport too.

What do you wish you'd invented

Sport!

What would you do differently?

Sleep less, eat and drink more. I'm saving these for when I give up running.

What I'm watching and listening to...

Watching rugby and movies, listening to rock and Radio 5 Live.

My advice to the Government is...

Reduce the size of central Government dramatically, in all its guises, and cut taxes across the board.

If I wasn't doing business in Nottingham, I'd go to...

The USA for at least six months of the year and set up a business there

I'd be lost without my...

Family obviously. Then running and my cars.

Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter?

Would prefer not to have any of them, but I do use LinkedIn for work only.

What I'd really like to say to the banks is…

To the majority of bankers: "it's not your fault". For those who caused the issues: "idiots!

Friends would say I'm…

Busy, often preoccupied, too organised.

My indulgence is...

Probably running overseas marathons. My cars are investments

One thing in the world I'd change right now

Poor organisation skills and laziness, particularly with regard to giving something back.

The best place to eat and drink is...

Arzak, in San Sebastian, northern Spain. Awesome.

I drive a...

VW mostly - sensible and efficient. I have a couple of British sports cars for fun.

My most important set of numbers is...

Surplus cash generated – which drives the ability to invest in any business.

I always have in my pocket...

Tablets for dealing with my migraine headaches.

I'll tell you what annoys me...

People who can't be bothered. A volunteer is worth ten pressed men (or women).

What makes me laugh is...

Lee Mack. My cats.

My last holiday was to...

Sunny Tobago. An indulgence in winter that I've not done before but will repeat, I hope.

I am currently reading...

Bradley Wiggins' autobiography. Wish he had actually written it himself though.

The one thing I've learned...

If you assume life is unfair, and that people are unreliable, then you will avoid a lot of disappointment.