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Michael Earp, executive director and major client advocate at ACE affiliate Willis.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Resolving problems and finding sustainable solutions for my clients.
Least favourite part of your job?
Compliance
Do you have a favourite food and drink?
As my figure would suggest I like just about most things, but I have a particular liking for spicy foods.
Sports, hobbies and pastimes?
Sport has (and still) plays a big part of my life a frequent visitor to the gym, I enjoy skiing; however, in the last two months I have qualified as a RFU referee.
If you had to pick another profession, what would it be?
A writer or lecturer. My bestseller will be out in 2010!
Who or what has been your biggest personal inspiration?
The person who inspired me the most is my father, who achieved so much from humble beginnings and was also a good man.
Money no option, where would you most like to live?
Easy - near the Alps! Switzerland, north-western Italy or south-east France. As money is always a constraint it will probably be France. Quel domage!
What are your ambitions within the industry?
To be able to continue working for my clients and creating a robust environment for my colleagues.
How has the economic downturn particularly affected projects that you have been involved with within Willis. Do you feel there are any positives to be taken, or important lessons learnt from the recent squeeze?
This has given opportunities to Wllis because clients are looking for different but sustainable solutions that are able to manage the current economic climate but are able to reflect the changes in the economic climate as they happen.
What do you feel are the main benefits ACE offers to its affiliates?
The opportunity to be able to get on the ground floor with the developments in the industry.
With the annual FIDIC conference just around the corner, what are the most important things to be achieved, and how beneficial to the British engineering industry is the London setting?
Being able to adapt to the changing economic climate. British firms I believe are the best at being able to "turn on a sixpence" yet still retain their professional expertise and integrity.
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