Olivia Thomson is a communications executive at foodservice wholesale giant Brakes.
What was your first job?
A gymnastics coach at our local club. You could start helping out at a young age, which meant extra pocket money for me.
How would your colleagues at Brakes describe you?
I would like to think that they would say I am talkative, diligent and personable.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport that would give you a chance of winning a medal, what would it be?
Probably reading, as I have a voracious appetite for well-told, interesting stories.
If time and money were no issue, what hobby would you most like to get into?
A martial art of some form; it is not something I have ever tried and I appreciate the years of dedication it takes to become even competent, so learning one would take a while.
What would your perfect day involve?
A decent lie-in, wandering around London and eating delicious food with good friends, followed by some kind of event in the evening.
What is your song of choice at karaoke?
I would need to pair up with someone for Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests?
Queen Elizabeth I, poet Lord Byron, and the acting duo of Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman.
What would you cook them?
A whistlestop tour of the best cuisines, including a smorgasbord of Thai, Japanese, Indian, Italian, Mexican and Spanish dishes.
What fad or trend would you like to see make a comeback?
Local repertory theatre. It used to be a thriving industry in the UK, but has since been overtaken by other forms of entertainment.
If you were a superhero, what would you choose as your superpower?
Instant empathy. I would love to force certain international figures to know how people on the receiving end of their decisions might feel.
What do you wish you knew more about?
Languages and the history of language. As someone who enjoys writing and being creative with language, there is a hidden world of meaning in the history of a word. I would like to know this history on a more conscious level.
When was the last time you changed your belief or opinion about something major?
When I realised that Donald Trump had a genuine chance of being voted in as President of the United States of America… much to my dismay.
