Each week Swindon Business News gives a prominent member of the town’s business community the last word on its weekly e-bulletin.
This week Ian Larrard, director of the Swindon & Wiltshire Initiative, part of Business West, answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST: 
Film you watched? The Theory of Everything – an amazing film about Stephen Hawking and rightfully received many awards and great acclaim.
Book you read? Talk like TED – a fascinating insight into public speaking by some of best presenters in the world. A must for anyone involved in presenting.
Music you bought? The Shires – who I am due to see in concert later this month in Bristol
Concert you went to? Heather Peace – musician and actress at St George’s, Bristol. Amazing venue and perfect for this type of concert.
Sporting event you attended? An athletics meeting in Swindon organised by Swindon Harriers, of which I am chairman. It was a memorial open meeting for a colleague who sadly died last year. We had representatives from 21 clubs present and a fantastic start to the track and field season.
Holiday you went on? I recently came back from a skiing holiday in Anzere, Switzerland. Great time, lovely weather, the skiing was amazing, plus also a very relaxing time.
Restaurant you ate in? Casa Paulo in Common Platt, Swindon – I’ve driven passed it hundreds of time but recently went there with some friends, on their suggestion, and the food and atmosphere were brilliant. Another of Swindon’s best kept secrets!
Thing that annoyed you? Mobile phone signals that at present seem to drop off after about three minutes of conversation!
Thing that made you laugh out loud? From Only Fools and Horses – one of the funniest comedy sketches ever – Trigger’s Broom. If you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean!
Piece of good advice you were given? ‘Don’t settle’ – a short phrase from Steve Jobs. In other words – If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking and striving.
Ian Larrard is director of Business West in Swindon and Wiltshire. Prior to that he was with HSBC in many corporate/commercial roles around the West Country. Outside work Ian was fortunate to represent his country as an international athlete (sprinter) and he still continues his association with the sport being chairman of Swindon Harriers. With a family of four children, in his remaining free time (!) he is also a governor of Swindon College and a member of the Rotary Club of Swindon.
