Gareth Kirkwood
Job title: managing director, Brymon Airways.
Age: 36.
Born: Kilmarnock, Scotland.
Lives: Cheddar, Somerset.
Status: married to Alison, two children.
Education: Hutchesons Grammar School, Glasgow, Strathclyde University and Lancaster University.
Path to career: from 1986-1990 worked in various roles in the IT department at British Airways. Joined Speedwing in 1990 as commercial manager. In 1992 became general manager of global purchasing at BA. In 1994 became vice-president purchasing at USAirways. Took up current position in 1996.
Industry talk
What was your first job in travel and how much did you get paid?
At British Airways as an information technology buyer. I didn’t get paid half as much as the salespeople who were trying to sell me computers!
What has been your biggest challenge in the travel industry?
Learning the regional aviation business. At Brymon Airways Iam lucky to be surrounded by some of the best people in the business.
What has been your most embarrassing moment in the travel industry?
In the early days, I asked a Brymon pilot the difference between a Dash 7 (four engines) and a Dash 8-300 (two engines). He led me to the window and we took a look outside!
What is the best job you’ve had, apart from your current one?
Groundsman at Poloc Cricket Club in Glasgow while at university.
Which company, apart from your own, do you most admire and why?
The vacuum cleaner company Dyson – in particular the perseverance with which James Dyson has overcome years of rejection from financiers.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the travel industry?
Get as much experience in as many areas of the business as you possibly can, as quickly as you can.
When will digital TV start to have a big impact on bookings?
Not until there is sufficient differentiation between the digital package and that offered by current providers.
Make one prediction about travel in the 21st century:
There will be significant increase in visiting friends and relations traffic as airline networks expand, disposable incomes increase and air travel becomes more affordable.
Personal talk
What is your star sign?
Aries.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Scots people don’t have extravagances – it would be too extravagant!
What would you change about yourself?
Take more exercise so the next time I do the Great North Run I won’t be overtaken by a womble!
If you could be anyone for a day who would it be and why?
Colin Montgomerie. It would be great to be able to play golf the way he can, even for one day!
What type of holiday would you avoid at all costs?
Any holiday involving compulsory group entertainment!
Which living person do you most respect?
My father Tom. He has coped with more adversity in the past 10 years than most and yet has emerged happier than ever.
What is the most memorable destination you’ve visited and why?
Sydney Harbour on a Sunday afternoon in summer. The summit of Ben Lawers in Tayside, on a clear day in winter is a close second.
What is your favourite TV programme/film/book?
My favourite TV programmes are Frasier and The Fast Show, the films are Local Hero and Shawshank Redemption and I enjoyed reading Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch and The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.
What’s the corniest chat-up line you’ve ever used?
“Is that a Scottish accent I hear?” to my future wife on a 747 from Sydney to London. I got better after that.
What would you have put on your gravestone?
He made the best of the hand he was dealt.