Logged off: Mark Pashley, Grant Thornton
Mark Pashley is tax director and a member of the senior leadership team at the East Midlands office of business and finance adviser Grant Thornton, in Leicester. Here’s how he unwinds after a long week.
How do you relax at the weekend?
With most working weeks spent predominantly in meetings, the office or the car moving from one to the other, I like to use weekends to get out and about in the fresh air. Since our four-month old Cockapoo puppy Coco arrived, it means I have the perfect reason/excuse to get outside for walks. I also use the time to catch-up on reading the papers, especially on Sundays, and indulging my great love of watching movies – particularly realising my ambition to watch every Oscar winning Best Film ever made.
How many hours on average do you work at the weekend?
I try and limit working time at the weekend to between two and three hours. I use this time to catch-up on emails and non-client work, and also look ahead to the coming week and use some time to plan and prepare.
What’s your favourite?
– Holiday destination? California. I’m lucky to have been twice in the past, and I really like the food, climate and way of life. San Diego city on the Pacific coast is my favourite place.
– Album? It has to be Coldplay’s debut studio album Parachutes, although it is hard to believe this was released in 2000! My favourite track on the album is Yellow, and having seen Coldplay in concert on two occasions, this is brilliant live too.
– Food? I really enjoy Italian food, particularly seafood risotto, pizza and Tiramisu – well, in fact all Italian food! Locally, my favourite Italian restaurant is La Torre in Melton Mowbray, whilst in Italy we have found an amazing restaurant overlooking Piazza Navona in Rome (it’s a bit pricey though!).
– Website or app? I prefer to use the internet and websites – I find it much easier to search and browse the news and company information this way.
How do you usually spend Sunday evenings?
With dog-walks and work done, I use Sunday evenings to catch-up with the family and spend some quality time together, eating a leisurely late Sunday lunch at home. My wife and I moved back to the area when I joined Grant Thornton in the summer, and it is great to be so close to the family for even more planned, and spontaneous, gatherings!
