Name: Simon Thomas
Company: Nissan Europe
Job: Vice President sales operations Nissan Europe
Age: 46

How did you get in to the automotive business?
I joined a Ford dealership as an apprentice technician in 1976.

What does your job entail?
From April 1 I’ll be responsible for Nissan vehicle sales, vehicle distribution and network development in 30 countries.

How will your job change over the next few years?
Companies are consolidating operations across country boundaries – separate operations in every country is now too inefficient. Also, the green movement is now an economic reality all of us have to deal with, or suffer the business consequences.

Other jobs?
Serving in a Greek restaurant and Chinese takeaway at 15-16.

What advice would you give to young people joining the industry?
Work hard like you own it!

What’s the worst career move you’ve ever made?
Resigning from the Chinese takeaway, I missed out on free meals from that point.

And the best?
Leaving Rover to join Nissan. I’m truly sad about Rover’s demise, but I’m proud of Nissan’s rise.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Alive and well with my family.

Favourite book
Sleepers – scary!

Favourite holiday
California, Santa Monica beach.

Favourite film
Close Encounters and Crash.

Favourite music
Eighties stuff, such as UB40

First car
MkI Cortina.

Dream car
Nissan Qashqai – can’t have one as we’ve sold everything.

Luxury item?
My two teenage children.