COFFEE BREAK WITH... Matt McFarlane - Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co

When did you join Christie & Co? 

October 2022. 

Where were you when you accepted your role at Christie & Co? 

I was on holiday with my family in Cornwall! 

What was your first job? 

I had a paper round! I was 11 years old when I started, and I worked six days a week with a 6 am start! I also worked at my local Spar shop when I was 12.  

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie & Co? 

I am a retail agent specialising in petrol stations, convenience stores and post offices. 

What’s your favourite thing about Christie & Co? 

My work-life balance is excellent, and I enjoy driving. One day I am in Penzance, the next in North Devon and the South Dorset coast. I get to see the sea at least once a week. 

What’s been a highlight of your career so far? 

Learning new skills and being able travel around the wider area where each business is unique! 

Who in your industry do you feel most inspired by? 

There are a number of colleagues who inspire me, considering their experience in the sector and length of career. I also have several very entrepreneurial clients that I look up to. Seeing my children thrive and being able to provide for them is my biggest inspiration. 

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies? 

It is all about the family; I live and work for my two children.  

What’s your hometown? Where do you live now? 

I was born in Plymouth and grew up in Ivybridge on the edge of South Dartmoor. I now live with my family in Bristol. 

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday? 

So many to choose from! I am not one to sit on a beach and I always explore as much as possible. Botswana was incredible. I visited it a few times in the early 2000s, and being out in the bush with animals is an amazing experience. 

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

Being late - I pride myself on being on time. 

If you could live and work in any city, where would you go? 

I would head out to Brisbane – the sun and ocean are amazing! 

What would be your desert island meal? 

As I am stranded, I guess it would be coconut, fish and yams. Although last time I was on a desert island, I had an amazing three-course meal with a whole lobster as the main.  

What’s your favourite film? 

I’m a big fan of the Marvel movies and silly comedies but also love some of the classic 80’s movies. Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Indiana Jones, and Back to the Future… you get the idea! 

What is your favourite movie quote? 

‘You eat pieces of s**t for breakfast?’ – Happy Gilmore 

What is one thing on your bucket list? 

To take the kids to Africa on a safari! 

What is your biggest fear? 

I try to live my life with no fear. I always like to push myself out of my comfort zone and tackle anything I feel nervous about! 

What news source do you read every day? 

I have a couple of apps on the phone – Flipboard, Google News and the BBC. 

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