As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

Taller... I had no real idea!

How did you get involved in Social Enterprise?

Having worked in the commercial and the aid & development worlds, I thought I should work in the charity sector. I became convinced though, that the best way to lift people out of poverty was through enterprise. When people have the opportunity to be productive not only do they benefit from economic surplus but they gain dignity.

Applying my entrepreneurial leaning to bring about social and environmental benefits is very, very fulfilling. What I do now is definitely the best job I have ever done.

What is the role of the 'Base of the Pyramid' Enterprise?

'Base of Pyramid' is a term which refers to the 4 billion people that earn less than $1500 pa. Although individually poor, the aggregate purchasing power of this enormous group represents a huge market which so far has been largely ignored by business. As a result, few products and business models are specifically designed for this group and consequently poor people miss out, remaining caught in the poverty trap.

A BoP enterprise aims to work with the very poorest of people, understanding their needs and aspirations and to bring good quality, socially valuable products or services that are affordable to them. A true social enterprise will also develop products that have a social and environmental benefit and ideally create new enterprise in the developing world.

What has been the entrepreneurial highlight for you this year?

Undoubtedly the launching of a new social enterprise: ToughStuff. This triple-bottom-line business aims to provide affordable solar-powered products for very low income people, replacing expensive and environmentally damaging alternatives (kerosene lamps and batteries). This will result in a reduction of poverty, reduction in CO2, remove the environmental damage, enhance health and increase micro enterprise employment.

What is your most treasured possession?

The folder on my computer with all my family photos. Everything else is replaceable or unimportant.

How has the credit crunch affected you?

Interestingly, positively to a degree. It has brought a greater understanding. On the one extreme, poor people living in the developing world live in a constant credit crunch. We now have an increased grasp of what this might mean. At the other end of the spectrum the credit crunch has caused some investors to see how short sighted the aim of profit maximisation can be and that their money can (and should) also achieve social and environmental returns.

Who would you like to share a taxi with?

Muhammad Yunus, Nobel prize winning economist founder of the Grameen Bank which has assisted millions of people in Bangladesh to lift themselves out of poverty through providing micro-finance which helps avoid the trap of indebtedness and to give opportunities for micro-enterprise.

What Christian story or biblical text motivates you in your work?

It has to be the Parable of the Five Talents: Regardless of the field of expertise we work in, the question is 'Am I using the skills/expertise/resource/talents He entrusted to me to the best of my ability?' Interestingly, God gave the same words of praise to the two who brought back a return on the resources He gave them. 'Good and faithful servant,' he said. When I meet my Maker, that's what I hope he will say to me.

What makes you most angry?

Needless waste.

What would you do if you were given a million quid?

Honestly... 1. I'd pay off my mortgage. 2. I'd give 10% to a fund to finance micro-entrepreneurs and the rest I'd use to launch a new social enterprise or invest in someone to launch theirs.

What is your least and most green credential?

Least: A Jeep car. I converted it to LPG but it still consumes fuel like there is no tomorrow!
Most: Over 5 years ToughStuff, the social enterprise I founded, should save over 470,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

What living person do you most admire, and why?

My wife, Katie. She's lovely, kind, beautiful and bright - she's my best friend - and mother to my delightful daughters. She keeps me honest, and I highly value her thoughts and judgements.

Martin Luther King Jr had a dream for society. What is yours?

Where we can live in a world without the injustice of extreme poverty. Where each one of us cares as much for a child in Africa or India as we would our own next door neighbour. Where every girl and boy has of the opportunity ofeducation and can grow up to fulfil their potential with the dignity arising from a productive life.

What is the main hindrance to the dream becoming a reality?

Fear. Fear of losing what we already have. Fear that if someone else is lifted up then we drop lower. Fear that we cannot make a difference. This is not true. Far from it. By lifting others up economically we will prosper too, by giving others security we become even more secure, by making a small difference, with others we make a world of difference. We need to face up to these fears. We need to 'fight the fear'.

Are the Millennium Development Goals just a bridge too far?

We are already crossing the bridge. All the goals are achievable. The challenge is to deliver them in a meaningful length of time. If we leave it up to our governments alone then we will fail. It is when governments, businesses and civil society all take action then, collectively we can achieve not just the MDGs but much more. In 2005 Nelson Mandela asked whether this would be the generation to end poverty. I hope it is; we have the capability - the question is whether we can turn that capability into reality.

Tell us a joke...

My 6 year old daughter, Jessica, tells me her favourite joke:-
Why did the banana go to the doctors...because he wasn't peeling very well.