20 questions

1. How did you get into your current job?

I decided I wanted to study law after seeing my older sister revising for her law exams. It looked really interesting and so I decided to follow what she had done and pursue it as a career. I gained my degree at Aberystwyth University, and then moved to Chester for my Law School year. After completing my articles (what we called a training contract back in the day) at Dolmans Solicitors in Cardiff, I saw a job advertised at Watkins & Gunn. I was amazed at the extensive personal injury work at the firm and snapped up the opportunity to work there, under the tutelage of Gareth Thomas. I’ve been at the firm since 1991 and worked my way up from solicitor to associate, to partner and finally managing partner.

2. What’s the best bit?

Aside from doing a good job for a client and winning a case, I really enjoy developing people and helping them to become the very best they can be. We like to think that if it’s in someone to succeed we can bring it out of them. A really good example of this is Sarah Williams-Martin, who first worked for the practice aged 15 while on work experience. With her foot firmly in the door, she regularly worked for the firm during her holidays while completing her studies. She formally joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2001 and has since rapidly climbed the career ladder, becoming our youngest ever associate and head of the criminal law department at just 28 years of age and in 2009 and she has gone on to became a partner. I am very proud to say that there are several other great examples of people reaching their full potential through the support they’ve had at Watkins and Gunn.

3. What was your first Saturday job?

It was very different to my job now - I was actually a ride attendant at Pleasure Park in Barry Island in a bright red jumper, a yellow polo shirt and red dungaree trousers. It was a pretty cool job on the roller-coaster or the log flume... but not if you were operating the kids rides!

4. Describe your ideal job?

It sounds cheesey, but I think I have my ideal job. It’s such a diverse role - one minute I can be helping clients, the next I’ll be planning strategy for the firm, then doing PR or marketing or attending a networking event – I really enjoy the variety.

5. What motivates you?

I’m a very committed person and I love it when we win new business and succeed. So watching Watkins and Gunn continuing to progress is my motivation.

6. And what irritates you?

That’s an easy one – underachievers. Those who have the talent and the opportunity to do well but waste it for want of drive and commitment. I find that highly frustrating as I know they can do better if they just apply themselves.

7. Who do you most admire in business and why?

I admire a lot of people in business but I think I would have to say Warren Buffett, who is an American investment entrepreneur who started his career at a young age selling chewing gum door to door - and then went on to become one of the richest men in the world! I admire his determination to succeed and the ethical way he does business. He’s a incredible philanthropist responsible for the largest charitable donation in US History. Charity is something that is very important to us all at Watkins & Gunn.

8. What was the last book you read and what did you think?

I’m currently reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne De Maurier. I bought it when I recently went to Cornwall when we stopped off at the Jamaica Inn itself, on Bodmin Moor. It’s a novel set in 1820 about wreckers who would deliberately run ships aground, kill the crew and steal all the loot. It’s definitely an interesting read!

9. What do you do to relax?

I still play veterans rugby occasionally. I’ve also bought a yacht with three of my ex-rugby teammates - so we’re all currently learning to sail it around Cardiff Bay. Hopefully it will be nice this summer as we are definitely fair weather sailors! Other than that, I enjoy playing golf and surfing every now and again.

10. What dreams are you still fulfil?

I had an idea about a new way to deliver online legal services - the Welsh Assembly backed it, and gave us a grant funding and so it has now become a reality. We have called it Gateway2Law and it was launched last week. It’s an absolutely new concept - there is nothing else like it out there. From the comfort of their own computer, laptop, mobile phone or tablet, people will be able to go to www.gateway2law.co.uk and choose what type of legal help they need and then navigate through a pathway of questions, supported by straight talking videos, that lead them to their personalised legal solution in no more than three minutes. My dream is to see this being a huge success and create even more business for the firm.

11. What was the last film you saw at the cinema and what did you think?

I watched Wolf of Wall Street in the new Penarth Pavilion Cinema, which was a much nice nicer experience than being in one of the cinema chains. I thought the film was fantastic, I was gripped for the whole of it.

12. Favourite food and place to eat it?

I really enjoy Vittorio on Stow Hill in Newport – the service and food (especially the meatballs!) are superb!

13. What car do you drive?

I drive a Volkswagen Tiguan.

14. What’s in your car’s CD player at the moment?

I’m listening to the ‘Best of Stereophonics’ album at the moment – an example of great Welsh music.

15. What’s your favourite TV programme past?

I really loved the Sopranos - it has a great storyline.

16. Do you tweet? If so, how can we follow you? If not, why?

Yes, I think it’s important to be active on social media. You can follow me at @CliveThomas01 or @WatkinsandGunn.

17. If you were an animal, what would you be?

I asked my colleagues this one and they said it was obvious – I would be a big clumsy bear!

18. Proudest moment?

Apart from marrying my wife, Jayne, and the birth of our two beautiful children, Laura and Sion, it would be receiving a Law Society Excellence Award, on behalf of Watkins and Gunn, from the President of the Law Society in 2009.

19. And most embarrassing?

I’ve had a few of these too. I think my most embarrassing was when I broke my nose playing rugby and I had to have an operation in hospital. The nurse gave me some garments to wear for the operation and I accidentally mistook what should have been pants for a hat! The nurse certainly had a shock and a laugh when she came back in!

20. What advice would you give to someone wanting to be successful in your line of work?

I would say work hard and play hard, don’t get sucked into a long hour’s culture, be very flexible and open to new ideas and use your initiative to spot opportunities.