Hello! I’m Tim Gleave, Managing Director of Write Research Company. I spend a lot of my time travelling to see potential and existing clients. During the last six years, I’ve travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles many times over so wanted to share with you what a typical business trip is like……
I live in Northumberland, around 10 miles from Newcastle city centre. The majority of business trips are to London, and as such by train. I’m usually out of bed at around 0545 and in a taxi an hour later. In between, I’ll usually have chance to watch an episode of Sponge Bob with my 3 year old son and grab a hug with my 7 year old.
As a frequent traveller, I have an East Coast trains loyalty card, meaning I can use the first class lounge at Newcastle Central station. This is a god send, especially during the winter and more so for a good cup of coffee! More often than not, I’m then on the 0740 train, arriving at Kings Cross at 1040.
I enjoy train travel. The journey gives me three good hours to prepare for meetings and catch up on emails. I try not to make phone calls on the train – I feel self conscious doing so, but inevitably the phone will ring en route. Usually this happens just as the train is about to enter a tunnel! Upon arriving in London, it’s then usually a mad dash towards the tube.
I find the concourse at Kings Cross fascinating. I’ve seen lots of famous faces over the years, ranging from MP’s such as John Reid, actors such as Kevin Whately and the odd comedian, Vic Reeves to name but one.
I always keep a look out and we have a few autographed Write Research brochures in the office to show for it. My all time favourite has to be from January 2010, when I spotted some of the Chelsea Football Team - John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho (now Real Madrid), Joe Cole (now Liverpool), Michael Ballack (now Bayer Leverkusen), Carlo Ancelloti (Manager) and Ray Wilkins (Assistant Manager) these very busy guys kindly signed this brochure.
Sometimes, meetings are in Central London, meaning that after a short tube journey I’m close to the venue. On other occasions, it’s not so simple, and the tube merely takes me to another mainline station where I board another train! Then it’s another taxi ride, before arriving at the meeting.
In six years, I can honestly say that I’ve never been late for a meeting (I know I’m now tempting fate), so I usually give myself plenty of time. I then need to perform, but that’s another story!
Meetings usually last for an hour or so. Sometimes, it’s then off to a second and occasionally third meeting. Other times it’s to a hotel for an overnight stay. Wherever possible, however, I like to get back home to my family.
I’m usually on the 5pm train back out of Kings Cross. This is often a really busy train, prompting the odd scramble for a seat. If on time (and to be fair they usually are), the train will arrive back in Newcastle at 8pm. Another taxi journey then gets me home for 8.30 and my boys are usually waiting for me, hoping that Dad has brought them some football stickers or equivalent!
After a bed time story, I’m then in front of the TV for 9 – my wife will tell you it’s usually football I’m watching! I’ll then be in bed by 10 and ready to do the same again the following day.
I was talking to a friend the other day about the whole ‘celeb’ spotting in London. I always see people, but on, but clearly not as prepared OR as bold as you Tim. That said on a trip to Marbella with the girls a few years ago, we saw Rio Ferdinand and Duncan from Blue on the plane, Lee (Pterodactyl) McQueen and Simon Jordan in a bar. Not as glam as your name checks but I’ll be sure to grab a few signatures in the future and we can compare notes!