My Yorkshire: Joel Beverley, co-founder of RotaCloud

Joel Beverley is the co-founder of RotaCloud. Based in York, RotaCloud develops web-based employee-scheduling software.

Where do you live/where are you from?

I grew up in the Ryedale area, going to school in Pickering, but I’ve lived in York for about five years now. One side of my family were hill farmers in the North York Moors and the others were miners from Rotherham.

What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?

The North York Moors – growing up I spent a lot of my school holidays on my grandad’s farm in Westerdale, and a lot of my family still live there.

What is still on your “to do” list in the region?

Hiking the Three Peaks. There’s a handful of us at RotaCloud who’ve said we always wanted to do it — maybe 2019 is the year we finally get around to it!

What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?

Probably the meal I had in Tommy Banks’ new restaurant, Roots, late last year. I wasn’t sure it would live up to the hype, but every single dish blew me away.

What is your most Yorkshire trait?

Can make a cracking Yorkshire pudding.

Favourite piece of trivia about the region.

Chimney bank in Rosedale, which takes its name from a 100-foot high chimney, is also the steepest road in England with a maximum gradient of 1 in 3. Good luck getting up or down it in winter!  

What is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?

Michael Parkinson — either him or Claude Greengrass. Both personify what it is to be from Yorkshire, in their own special way.

Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?

The worst thing about Yorkshire is that there aren’t enough big tech companies up here. Yet!

What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?

Nowt.

What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?

Tetley’s – tastes like dishwater. Yorkshire Tea all day long!