My Yorkshire: Matthew Williams, managing director of Quba
Matthew Willams, managing director of Quba, a Sheffield based web-technology agency.
Where do you live/where are you from?
I’m originally from Leeds and now I live in Sheffield, but over the years I’ve lived in other parts of the UK and overseas. Yorkshire is most definitely home though.
What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?
The Farmers Arms in Upper Swaledale. It’s the ultimate post-walk (or cycle) stop. It serves some of the best beers in Yorkshire and the food is first class. I remember family camping holidays there and it always feels like home when I go back.
What is still on your “to do” list in the region?
I’m a keen cyclist so I’d love to complete the first stage of the Tour De France when it started in Yorkshire. I’ve been meaning to do it since 2014 and one day I will get around to it.
What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?
When I first worked in advertising back in the late ’80s I was client side and we would visit our agency in Leeds. They would always take us out for a big lunch which would go on most of the afternoon in a flash Leeds restaurant like The Flying Pizza in Roundhay – it was the done thing back then. It was my first job and I was very impressionable! Things have changed quite a lot since then.
What is your most Yorkshire trait?
Probably my work ethic. Also, my loyalty to the region and my unwavering belief in its people and their authenticity. In fact, authenticity is one of Quba’s core values as we always try and be straight down the line, we hate jargon, we say it like it is, we stay true to our beliefs and remain grounded. If that’s not being Yorkshire then I don’t know what is!
Favourite piece of trivia about the region?
That Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery is the oldest brewery in Yorkshire. It was established in 1758.
What is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?
Jarvis Cocker.
Worst experience or thing about Yorkshire?
I think a lot of people don’t have a very healthy respect for our towns and cities. I hate litter and unnecessary vandalism. I visited Harrogate for a weekend recently and I was amazed at how clean and tidy it is. Coming back to Sheffield was a bit painful. But Sheffield is definitely improving – slowly.
What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?
I think Manchester has done an amazing job in re-positioning itself after the IRA bomb in 1996. It was the catalyst for change and its evolution over the past 23 years has been staggering. The BBC has certainly played a part but the civic leaders had a vision for it and the result is a more diverse, dynamic and exciting city with commerce as its very heart. Yorkshire towns do lag behind and I think that’s mostly due to a lack of planning strategy.
What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?
I know I might get some flak for this but….Betty’s.
What makes a great leader?
The most important thing is to never be complacent. You can’t sit back and think ‘that’s it, job done’. I firmly believe that there is always room for both change and improvement as nothing stands still. A great leader is always on the lookout for ways to be better, whether that’s as a person or to grow his or her team and business.
