Name: Martin Dix
Age: 51 Company: Energy monitor makers Current Cost Turnover: £13m First job: At 15, I was forced into a life as an apprentice electrical engineer following a request to leave my place of education. It was the only time I saw my headmaster really enthusiastic about anything. Dream job: A profitable farmer. Car: Jaguar XKR Economy, business or first class: Business, because I need to rest and it’s wasteful to sleep on arrival. Most extravagant purchase: If extravagance means a large sum, then my farm. If it’s wasteful spending, it would be a $15 milkshake in Las Vegas. Most-played song on your iPod: Another Chance by Roger Sanchez. Best business book: The 80-20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch. Worst business moment: Thankfully precious few – and nothing that I haven’t managed to overcome with a good night’s sleep and some fresh thinking. Proudest business moment: My first tour around the bespoke Current Cost department at our manufacturing partners. Your business mentor: Innovators should steer clear of mentors. Next big thing: Home automation, which has been a dirty word in the UK since the 70s. It will benefit a great deal from being rebranded as “the smart home”.Share this story