What the People Think

Dave WilliamsDave Williams

1. What do you do at Link 51?

I am the Cost Accountant for Pallet Racking Systems which basically means I cost all products, (Standard & Non Standard), manufactured in the PRS factory for quotes and orders. One of the main areas of my job is the costing of large projects. This involves calculating the total cost of Materials, Manufacturing, Delivery, Installation and all other associated costs that form part of the contract. This then enables the Company to have an accurate view of what the total costs would be to carry out the contract to which we would apply a margin to arrive at a bid price.

2. What’s the best thing about your job?

I think I would have to say that it’s when a contract is won, and the hard work and effort that everyone involved in the contract has put in, is rewarded with the order.

3. What’s your claim to fame?

I suppose I would have to say that it is the fact that I have been to all 7 Continents in the world. A lot of people make 5 but to go to the Arctic and the Antarctic as well is a bit special and something I always wanted to do. When I visited the Arctic our ship, the Black Watch, set a new record for reaching the most Northerly point for a passenger ship at 79.4° North. Whilst on one of my travels I met Clint Eastwood at his restaurant in Carmel USA.

4. If you had to be stranded on a desert island – what would be the one thing that you would take with you and why?

Actually I quite like the thought of being stranded on a desert island. If I could only take one thing I think it would be a box of matches!! I don’t fancy trying to rub sticks together to start a fire so a box of matches would be handy. I would start a fire and keep it going 24/7.

5. What’s your dream holiday destination?

The South Pole. As I said earlier, I have already been to Antarctica in 2006 which was my 7th and final Continent, but I would love to return one day and go all the way to the South Pole. This is not as dramatic as it sounds. I would not be doing a Scott or a Shackleton expedition. Things are a little more advanced these days so getting there is not the challenge it once was.

6. Who would be your ideal dinner guests?

Michael Palin & John Simpson. I would love to swap travel stories with them and listen to their many tales and experiences. I am so envious of Michael Palin in particular. And the ‘job’ and lifestyle he has. To travel the world in the way that he does and be paid for it would be a dream.

7. What makes you laugh?

I like sarcastic satirical humour. I especially enjoy programmes like Have I Got News for You and Mock the Week. I much prefer 70’s & 80’s comedy programmes on TV to those produced today. My favourite comedians are Jasper Carrott & Ken Dodd.

8. What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?

When I’m not travelling I also work as a Karaoke DJ at weekends. This is has proved entertaining at times over the last 13 years. Some people say I only do it for the money but this just a vicious rumour !!!

9. If you were Prime Minister, what would you do?

I would like to see a 32 hour, 4 day week and the retirement age reduced to 55. I think the whole world works too many hours for too many years. We are only here once (so I am told!!) so I think we should make the most of it.

10. What would you do if you won the lottery?

A good friend of mine has always wanted to go and visit Penguins in their natural habitat so I have always promised her that if I ever won the lottery I would pay for her to go.
From a personal point of view there are no surprises here... I would travel. I always look in envy at the ‘Round the World’ cruises in the brochures. It would be the first thing I spent any money on. After that I would certainly move house but I would not buy a mansion I would prefer a cottage somewhere miles from anybody. I’m not into expensive flash cars either.