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Feature OFF THE CUFF Ian Rakhit,
Head of specialist banking, Bankwest What was the last book you read? I’m a big reader and my favourite authors are Ian Rankin, John Grisham, John King and Bill Bryson. The last book I read was A Question of Blood, part of the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin. If you did not live in Australia, where would you live? I’m originally from Manchester, England, home to Oasis, New Order and the legendary football club, Manchester City. Even if I wasn’t so lucky to live in Sydney, I would still call Manchester home. If you could sit down to lunch with anyone you like, who would it be? Joe Strummer, the lead singer of The Clash. They were THE group as I was growing up and even 30 years later, I still find his lyrics and writings so relevant. What was the first job you ever had? I remember clearing snow from the driveways of our neighbours every winter for a few pounds, and my first real job was with the Halifax Building Society… next month I complete 25 years in banking!! What do you do to unwind? I love to run before and after work to clear my mind and always need to get a chapter finished before bed. What’s the most extravagant gift you ever bought yourself? I bought an Audi TT 9 years ago which I adored, but it had to go as my children began to arrive.
What CD is currently playing in your car stereo? Falcon by The Courteeners. If you like English indie/alternative, this band is the best around at the moment. If you could give anyone starting out in business one piece of advice, what would it be? Have a very specific and measurable short and medium term plan and set out to absolutely delight your customers. I still use the same shops and tradespeople I have for years, simply because they look after me. We are all customers and our business can be so easily lost. If I was not working in the mortgage industry, I would like to be...? Half back for the Wests Tigers. To play alongside Benji Marshall would be a dream job. This year the comp is ours! Where was the last place you went on holiday? A short break with my family and some friends from the UK to Hyams Beach on the South Coast of NSW. Truly the whitest sand in the world – beautiful!