Brad Symcox
NHS SBS
Commercial Advisor (Midlands)
What are you most proud of?
I'm so very proud of my wife and children and the life I've been able to build with them. If I had to choose an accolade as a proud moment in my life, I think winning an EMMY award for a short video I made with the Kansas City Chiefs would be up there as a close second.
What makes you angry?
People that don't indicate on roundabouts ... oh, and the wind, for some reason if it's a windy day it puts me in a foul mood. It's probably because you can't really do anything outside in gale force winds. It ruins everybody's fun.
What sports team do you support (if any)?
The Kansas City Chiefs, I've been a fan of the team since 2011 and I must watch every game live. It can be a pain when you have to go to bed early and wake up at 1:30am to watch the game though. But I'm passionate about the team and the fanbase so the benefits outweigh the bad. I was lucky enough to win tickets to Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs won their first super bowl title in 50 years. I've made so many friends over in Kansas City, it feels like my second home.
Which famous person would you most like to meet and why?
Tom Cruise. From the age of 7 I used to watch the movie Top Gun constantly because I dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot one day (working in procurement is obviously very similar to achieving that dream). I watched the movie so much that my Dad had to buy the VHS three times because I'd literally burned through two video cassettes by constantly playing and rewinding the tape. I've always enjoyed a Tom Cruise movie, but when I'm feeling down or a little bit stressed, Top Gun gets the nod to make things right in my world again. Yes, I can recite the entire movie word for word, and no, please don't start me off with a line from the film, because I won't be able to stop!
What superpower would you most like to have and why?
Flying. I've always been fascinated with flight and being able to fly away to distant places at the drop of a hat would be my favourite superpower. I think the best part of flying somewhere is the journey itself. There's something exciting about flying above the clouds and seeing the world from a different perspective.
What historical figure do you most admire and why?
The Wright Brothers. I'm intrigued to know what kept them going to achieve their dream of flying. How they developed their knowledge of aerodynamics and how to manipulate it and control it to create their flying machine was groundbreaking. Controlled flight was a huge question mark at that time, yet somehow, they found the solution and developed a system of aircraft controls that are still used to this day. It's that level of determination and invention I admire the most.
What’s your perfect weekend?
I love to get out on my motorbike, so a trip out to a seaside town or a blast up to the Scottish Highlands before coming home and settling down with my wife and kids to watch a family movie with popcorn and munchies, maybe order an Indian takeaway and an ice cold glass of beer. Then once I've packed them all off to bed I can sit and watch the Kansas City Chiefs play until the early hours of the morning. (Note: I did begin this segment by saying "A date with Margot Robbie" but my wife was looking over my shoulder)
What’s your favourite meal?
Brisket burnt ends with a side order of cheesy corn, pickles and marinated in delicious Kansas City BBQ sauce. It has to be slowly barbecued in a Kansas City smoker though. In the UK we think we know how to barbecue ... we really don't!
Can you describe yourself in one word?
Lucky
What do you hope to be doing 5 years from now?
Early retirement, haha! I would love to say I could retire early so that I can continue to do the things that are left on my bucket list without any distractions. I'm all about the simple life and experiencing everything the world has to offer, but best of all I like experiencing it with my family. I'm a very lucky guy and I'm thankful for everything I have. Having more time to enjoy everything I already have is a priority to me.
Date: 9 July