What I’m called: Dave Beesley.
My Age: 63.
What I do: Chairman of B-Line Business Supplies and chief executive of Bayswater Framing. Member of Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group’s committee.
Where I live: Headington. I’ve lived in Oxford all my life; in fact I was born at home in Bodley Road, Littlemore.
Who I love: My wife, children, grandchildren and extended family both in the UK and New Zealand where my mother, two sisters, brother, cousins and their families live.
Happiest Year: Most years have been good.
Darkest Moment: May 19 last year, when I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, which had spread outside of the prostate.
Proudest Boast: Building up two businesses, which I have been able to hand on to my children, and being a director and mentor of Oxford Mentors, which helps small businesses along their journeys. This service is totally free to all business owners. I am also delighted to be a very active committee member of the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group, helping other patients and their families and spreading the awareness to all men to get checked.
Worst Weakness: I am a workaholic, albeit I love doing what I do, and I must give up cigarettes and red wine.
Lessons Learned: It is always good to help others. As my mum always told me: ‘you reap what you sow’.
Dullest Job: I’m very lucky, because I have never had a dull job. I’ve always put 100 per cent effort into every job I’ve ever had.
Greatest Shame: I didn’t give my children enough time when they were young, as I was always out working. However, I hope I have been able to rectify this in later years.
Lifelong Hero: I am inspired by many people, but if I had to pick one it would probably be Alan Sugar.
Oldest Friend: My great schoolfriends, Richard, Nick and Keith. We regularly meet up every few months and go over old and new stories. It’s one of the highlights of my diary.
Widest Smile: When I received the news in February from the hospital to say that there was no sign of the prostate cancer, following radiotherapy treatment.
Favourite Dream: To stay happy and well.
Biggest Regret: Waiting until my early 40s to start my own business. It was always a dream for me but I was frightened to give up the secure day job. If I had my time over again I would have started in my late teens/early 20s.
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