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interviewed by Frankie Hatton an historic theatre in Liverpool. Unfortunately I have now lost touch with him!” For A levels Neil studied Mathematics, Statistics and Physics which in retrospect he admits is very specialised and says “It’s good that children are now encouraged to take a broader spectrum of examinations subjects at A level.” So was Neil the school nerd? “I couldn’t possibly answer that question,” he laughs, “but my eldest daughter, Elizabeth, certainly has a strong opinion on it!” Neil went on to follow his brother into IT and attended Liverpool University to study Computer Science. “It seemed to be the next big thing and certainly that has been the case,” he explains. “There were no PCs back then of course, I just had a programmable calculator, so I had to wait until university before I actually used a computer!” Neil became disillusioned with IT since the mathematical element was limited, so he switched to Statistics and Mathematics in the final year. “I studied it because I found it easier than History and English, of course! I feel privileged that I am one of small minority who actually use their degree subject as part of the job. What I find strange is that I eventually moved away from IT whilst many of my old school friends are now IT specialists of one sort or another.” Neil started his career in London in the CEGB, right next to the Tate Modern in London. “You may remember CEGB,” he says, “it was a huge public sector business that looked after the National Grid, the Power Stations and Electricity Distribution. I worked with physicists to computer model the thermo dynamic equations within a coal-fired power station which was located in Didcot. This was designed to optimise the efficiency and pollution of the power station within clearly defined safety parameters. In simple terms the physicists would, say, change the steam pressure inside a pipe and the computer model would be amended to simulate the impact of the change. If the outcome was favourable then the change would be implemented on the station itself and then monitored to see that it aligned with the model expectations.” This seems very different to his current role as Treasurer at Partygaming, a role which involves managing bank relationships, raising debt finance and managing foreign exchange and cash. “Sometimes it can be confused with
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MAY 2010
accounting but it is very much the opposite,” he explains. “Accounting generally records what has happened but ‘treasury’ is looking forward in time and helps manage financial risk and future funding. The job utilises my mathematical skills but it also involves relationships with banks and co-ordinating with the Board on how the business should manage its funding needs. All-in-all it’s a good mix! The downside is that it is very specialised — I am probably the only corporate treasurer in Gibraltar.” Neil also considers himself lucky enough to undertake other roles in the company. “Last year I managed the payment processing activities for Partygaming. At the moment I am working with our bookmakers on a computerised system for optimising our ‘live’ bookmaking. This is about setting betting odds during a football or tennis match. More bets are now placed during a sporting event rather than beforehand as peoples’ views as to who will win or lose change during the game itself and it is inherently more exciting,” he adds with enthusiasm. “Unfortunately the probabilities move rapidly too — particularly in tennis when each point can move the odds dramatically. To keep an edge for the business our computer models needs to be very sharp” While most treasurers start off qualifying as accountants then take further specialist examinations in treasury, Neil explains that it is not a career for the faint hearted. “Very few people plan to move into treasury. I would say nearly all treasurers fall into it perhaps after getting bored with mainstream accounting. If you
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I would say nearly all treasurers fall into it perhaps after getting bored with mainstream accounting. If you are good with numbers, enjoy working with people and are a lateral thinker then treasury will suit you
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are good with numbers, enjoy working with people and are a lateral thinker then treasury will suit you. For more junior roles in treasury, staff come from all walks of life — such as PAs, bank clerks and HR managers.” Away from his treasury role Neil has always been interested in motorbikes and cars and has finally made the decision to buy a classic car in the next 12 months. “Unfortunately the choice is limited in Spain and Gibraltar,” he explains, “so I will probably import from California where the general condition of old cars tends to be much higher due to the atmospheric conditions.” Aside from that he says most of his spare time recently has been spent helping his children with their GCSEs. “I am amazed how much course work they now have to do.” As a child Neil remembers holidaying mainly in North Wales around Snowdonia, often caravanning with uncles, aunts and cousins. “Last year I decided to take my family there for a week so they could ‘experience’ my childhood memories. As expected it rained every day even though it was July but they still enjoyed it having had enough of the hot weather here! We never managed to climb Snowdon given the awful weather conditions.” Neil plays a lot of golf and paddle tennis so appreciates the benefits of the local weather and courses across the border, and tries to do a couple of ski weekends each year. “I do a lot of reading, generally biographies or documentary style histories – at the moment I am reading Richard Branson’s, Losing my Virginity. I am not one for fiction but like a good movie as long as the storyline is believable which they are usually not nowadays. “Being from Liverpool I guess I should have followed the Blues or Reds. However, I seem to be one of the few Scousers who do not follow football to any great degree, although I am pleased that I finally took my son, James, to Goodison last Christmas.” And for the future... what are Neil’s plans? “I have resolved to become more involved with charitable activities which has been sadly lacking in my life. At the moment I am coordinating with my best man to do the Three Peaks as a fund raising activity. The question is, can I get fit enough? “At some point I will write a short autobiography, no Tolstoy, merely for posterity and also in case I need to undertake similar interviews in the future.” n
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