10 questions we ask everyone….introducing Michael Jarvis, Local Community Grants Programme
I work in Accounting and Reporting as Market Support Accountant. The main part of my job is to support my markets(France and Monaco) with submission of statutory returns such as VAT and annual accounts as well as providing ongoing information about the financial position of a market throughout the year. This helps the local Finance Manager focus on the business issues of the market.
I think that the Body Shop Foundation is a worthwhile institution in its own right as well as being a shining example to other multi-national companies. It helps to demonstrate that there can be more to business than profit and loss and demonstrates that showing a little care and humanity does not automatically mean that you will go out of business. You might even get respected and build your brand.
1. Apart from your home and car, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
A computer. £2.5 K. Well worth it.
2. What’s been the most embarrasing moment of your life?
I went to the doctors and said I had a pain in the bum. She told me to relax and put a rubber glove on her hand. She then put some gel on the glove …….
3. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Evict the queen from all her palaces and royal residences and turn them into hostels for the homeless and financially disadvantaged.
4. If you were invisible for a day, what would be the first thing you’d do?
Seek the means to render myself visible again as soon as possible. Read “The Invisible Man”, by H.G.Wells its not as much fun as you might imagine.
5. If you had a pound to give to charity, which collection tin would you pop it in?
A charity that might not necessarily appeal to the general public although still serving a genuine need, such as a charity to help illegal immigrants.
6. When was the last time you cried?
I cry when I see courage in the face of insurmountable adversity, I also cry when I watch the x-Factor and even some corny TV ads. Last time I had a really good cry ? When I looked at my payslip.
7. Who did you last receive a text from and what did it say?
Came from my service provider who wanted to know if I was interested in free text messages next month.
8. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
I’d keep it as it is. Suits me fine.
9. What is your favourite thing about The Body Shop Foundation?
It helps The Bodyshop be about more than just making money.
10. What one skill or talent do you have that no-one knows about?
I can do shorthand. When I passed the 120 words per minute test I received a pay rise of $20.00. ( I was working as a cadet journalist in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe at the time). The $20.00 represented 10% of my current salary and so was well received. That $20.00 would not even buy a crumb of bread in Zimbabwe today.
It was while living in Rhodesia that I learned to appreciate the value and privilege of free speech, something that we can take for granted here in the UK. If they had run a program like Question Time over there half of the audience would be taken out after each episode and shot by the government after each episode.
We are so lucky in the UK to be able to question and to criticise our government without risking life and liberty.
