10 Questions with Richard Gwilliam (Co-Founder of Geollect):

1. What is one movie you can practically quote from start to finish?

Austin Powers International Man of Mystery. I got all my best chat up lines from that movie, ask my wife, she thinks I’m groovy baby!

2. Favourite holiday destination?

The Balearic Islands. I love Ibiza, Majorca, and my new favorite Menorca. The climate is perfect the atmosphere is great, you have everything you could want or need; busy nightlife, great food, great beaches and lots of sunshine. Plus it’s only two hours away! 

3. What is your favourite hobby or pastime?

I don’t have much free time these days. However, when I get chance, I like to work out, weights and running being my favorite. I used to swim a lot, however, with COVID I have not been able to in the last two years.

4. If you could instantly acquire one talent or ability, what would it be and why?

I’d love to be able to fly. I love to see the world from the skies, I used to fly a lot in my early naval career, the peace and quiet up there and stunning views are breath-taking at times. Plus, there are a few people I’d like to drop a load on!

5. Favourite weird (but brilliant) food combo?

When I was a sea cadet as a young lad, we would stay at the unit over the weekend, and everyone would bring a tin of food in. This all got thrown into a big pot and cooked up so there was an outrageous cocktail of foods thrown in. But somehow it always worked. To this day at the end of the month I just cook up everything we have left over, it never fails to be magnificent on the taste buds!

6. Have you ever met a celebrity?

I’ve been lucky enough to have met a few. I’ve met a large amount of the Royal Family. I worked with Prince Andrew for a couple of years on 815 Squadron, he was a prick! I once met Princess Diana at the Royal Tournament in London whilst I was wearing a bra, stockings and suspenders! It was pretty normal attire for a sailor in 1996!

7. You can have a dinner party with any 3 people in the world. Who’s on your invite list?

The Three Stooges, I think it would be hilarious! Seriously though, Neil Armstrong, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Sir Winston Churchill. All have them have had to demonstrate leadership and resolve in the most testing of times and all of them achieved great fetes of spare human capacity, despite perceivably insurmountable challenges. They demonstrated what can be achieved with determination and self-belief, they made people believe and follow. I would love to know what they have, that I don’t!     

8. What’s your favourite meal to cook?

I love a good Sunday Roast. Roast chicken, stuffing, mash & roast potatoes, veg and gravy. As a kid we didn’t have much, Sunday dinner was the highlight of the week!

9. What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Elvis Presley, Suspicious Minds. If you close your eyes you would swear Elvis was in the room with you!

10. What’s the worst hairstyle you’ve ever had?

My haircuts have been dull. I was a sea cadet at 11 and then joined the Royal Navy at 18 so for 39 years I’ve just had short back and sides as I wasn’t allowed cult haircuts or long hair! There was one haircut I tied in the mid-eighties called the wedge. It was horrendous it looked like I’d had a bowl put over my head and my hair shaved to the skull all around the bottom I looked a right plonker!

About Richard:

Richard Gwilliam has over 30 years’ experience as an intelligence officer and entrepreneur. Prior to founding Geollect, Richard spent 28 years in the Royal Navy working operational and strategic missions across the globe. Richard made a seamless transition into an effective business leader and his passion for leadership has played a key part in creating success with Geollect. This has been acknowledged by the Veteran Business Community as the Business Leader of the Year for 2020.

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