"Take nothing personally"

Hometown
Born in Hereford, now live in Belfast

What do you do?
I run the am:pm actors’ agency

How long have you been at it?
Three years running my agency

What was your very first role in theatre?
As an actor playing Rick in A Slice of Saturday Night at the Arts Theatre, Belfast

What else have you done?
Acted in shows at Lyric Theatre, Belfast; Royal Court, London; Tricycle Theatre, London; and with the Replay Theatre Company

Have you got qualifications?
Just A-levels

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An RAF policeman… no idea why. I think it must have been a movie I was watching!

What do you do all day?
Checking email cast breakdowns. Preparing casting sessions for my artists, which may mean reading a script or two. At the same time using the phone for at least five hours a day. In the evening it’s usually a trip to the theatre or a film set to see my actors at work. If I’m lucky, I get to read my baby a goodnight story.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Increasing an actor’s fee. Getting to tell them when they’ve got job! Free tickets to shows. Most agents do try to make a difference in the industry and I think I’m one of them, perhaps because I come from an acting background.

And the worst?
Telling artists when they haven’t got the job. Re-invoicing companies because actors always seem to be the last ones to get paid.

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I’m doing my dream job right now. Knowing I am trying to gain work for 65 super artists.

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Be prepared to lose money in your first couple of years. Sometimes one has to be ruthless and let go of artists you feel aren’t right for your agency so a thick skin is important. Take nothing personally.