My first boss

It was a not-for-profit outfit that specialised in environmental, international development and social justice issues.

I worked on a range of projects from research to organising national awards ceremonies, such as the British Environment & Media Awards and the One World Awards.

The boss
My boss was called John Grey but he had been dubbed Earl Grey some years before, because of his slightly aristocratic manner and lifestyle, and this had stuck.

John was extremely generous, charismatic and inspiring. He was great fun. He had no idea how to use a computer and used to drive people crazy with his attempts to learn.

He was also very clever – he went through life, and got a very long way, saying that he'd graduated from Bristol University with a 2.2. He'd actually left school at 16.

He taught me to value people, to treat everyone with respect and to believe in them

Any bad memories?
None at all. When I think of Media Natura, I often remember John and, more often than not, it makes me laugh. For instance, there was the time we all went line-dancing and ended up in a cabaret bar being asked by a drag artist if our bus had dropped us off outside by mistake.

And when John was late, he would apologise by saying he had been "bonding with his duvet". I've never built up the courage to use that excuse myself, but I think it's better than saying that the train was delayed!

What's the most important thing he taught you?
John taught me to value people, to treat everyone with respect and to believe in them. I began at Media Natura as a volunteer.

John had faith in me, as he had faith in everyone at the agency. For a first job, I don't think you could ask for more.

Would you treat staff in the same way he treated you?
I would hope so. But I'd be a bit more self-administering, though – I don't think many people could get away with knowing as little about running an office as John did!