Penny speed meets: Michael Lawrence, personal lines director, LV Broker

What was your first ever job - and were you any good at it?
Putting up a market stall first thing, working it all day, and then taking it down - terribly cold in the winter, so I got very fast at assembling and dismantling

If an MP3 player really could hold only three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
Town Called Malice by The Jam for my angry youth; Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve for my cocky youth; and One Day Like This by Elbow for where I am now

Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Debbie Harry

My colleagues won't know this about me but...
This is going to be embarrassing... I used to collect cacti as a boy and won awards for showing my prize specimens

Favourite book of all time?
Annapurna by Maurice Herzog. As the first person to summit an 8000 metre-high mountain in 1950, his book is a forthright account of the expedition, showing what a huge undertaking it was back then

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
"Never do anything when you're upset." This has stopped me from making the wrong calls in all sorts of situations

If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what change would you instigate and why?
The financial services industry is heavily regulated compared to others, so I'd apply more pressure elsewhere to provide similar service and value levels

How would a typical school report about you read?
Quote from diplomatic head of year: "Michael is bright, well-liked and his contribution to school sports is welcomed, but he needs to apply himself more to achieve his potential." My geography teacher was more succinct: "Would make a great second-hand car salesman."

My last supper would comprise...
A massive eight courses made by a top chef, washed down with plenty of fine wine and with friends and family. I would die fat, drunk and happy

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
I'm going to cheat here and pick my family

When I'm not working I like to...
See ‘last supper' answer! But I love sports, especially those involving mountains, and reading history books - which is ironic as I wasn't allowed to take history at school because I was too disruptive

Last film you saw?
Rise of the Guardians with my family

If I wasn't working in insurance I would probably be...
A mountain guide

Name your five ideal dinner party guests (dead or alive) noting what they bring to the party
Muhammad Ali for his charisma and quick wit; Ranulph Fiennes for his adventure stories; Stephen Fry for his knowledge; Eleanor of Aquitaine (Richard the Lionheart's mum) for political wisdom and historical insight; and Cameron Diaz because she's attractive and funny

Marmite: foods of the gods or work of the devil?
Food of the gods - ignore the instructions on the jar that say ‘spread thinly'

Career high point to date?
Taking this role just over two years ago - a great team that has built a business but plenty more to do

What do you say when strangers at a social gathering ask what you do for a living?
That I work for LV. I'm proud of that and our industry - why wouldn't I be?

If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
To the 1300s, the time of knights and castles - but I'd take a good doctor as the healthcare wasn't exactly great

Finish this sentence: Insurance is a great industry to work in because...
It's fast moving, looks after customers and the people are great

Would you like to be probed by Penny on one of her speed meets? Get in touch via lynn.rouse@incisivemedia.com