My Yorkshire: Jeff Pearey, JLL

Jeff Pearey is head of global property consultancy JLL’s North East region, based in Leeds.

What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?
I think the North Yorkshire Moors take some beating; I grew up on the edge of the moors and took the wild and windswept moorland for granted back then. I appreciate this beautiful National Park so much more these days.

What is your most Yorkshire trait?
I hate to sound stereotypical, but as I’m outdoors every weekend there’s a strong chance you might see me wearing a flat cap and wellies.

Favourite piece of trivia about the region.
Probably that if Yorkshire were a country it would have come eleventh at the 2012 Olympics. I am proud that God’s Own County is home to so many top-class athletes.
What with the success of the Grand de Depart in 2014, this year’s Tour de Yorkshire and the upcoming Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon in Leeds next year, which JLL is sponsoring, we also do an amazing job hosting world class sporting events which showcase our cities and the region to a global audience.

What is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?
There’s so many, Yorkshire is definitely raising its game in the culture stakes. I would choose a person, an actress born in Yorkshire, Dame Judi Dench. She has deservedly enjoyed an incredible career; she commands an audience and comes across as a genuinely nice person.

Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?
We seem to be a little too introspective; we need to “get out there” a bit more.

What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?
Businesses are continually banging the drum for better infrastructure – it may be a little boring but it is fundamental to the fabric of our economy. With this in mind, I would say Manchester Airport or perhaps, as I am based in Leeds, their tram!

What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?
I’m a Yorkshireman, so obviously nothing!