DAVID Monkman was born in Yorkshire. He qualified as a nurse in the 1970s and worked all over the country whilst he was in the NHS.

He became chief executive of St Michael’s Hospice, in Aldermaston Road, Basingstoke, in July 2010. Outside of work, David likes hiking and visiting antique fairs.

1. Who was your childhood hero and why? Bugs Bunny. I thought he was great – for a rabbit.

2. What is your most precious possession, and why is it important to you? A piece of furniture which belonged to my late father.

3. What was the first record/CD you bought? Slade – Cum On Feel The Noize.

4. What is the radio/television show you hate to miss? Judge Judy – I think she is fantastic.

5. What is your favourite film? Dr Zhivago – best film ever. Great cast and plot.

6. What is your pet hate? Insincere people.

7. What book are you reading at the moment? D-Day by Anthony Beevor.

8. If you were choosing a last meal, what would it be? Anything that took a very, very, very long time to eat.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be? Captain James Cook.

10. If you had a time machine, where would it take you? Ancient Rome.

11. If you were stranded on a desert island, what luxury would you choose to have with you? It would have to be air-conditioning – I don’t like the heat.

12. What sports team do you support? Not a big sports fan.

13. What was your first job? Worked in a fish factory in Hull – very smelly.

14. If you could take over someone’s job for the day, whose job would you choose? Head of the NHS.

15. What worries you the most? Generating sufficient income to maintain all the services provided by the hospice.

16. What is your proudest moment? Passing my examination to become a Registered Nurse.

17. What would you like your epitaph to be? He said he would do it, and he did.

18. What’s your guilty pleasure? Sancerre wine.

19. What one thing could change society for the better? Reducing the levels of poverty which exist in many parts of Britain.

20. What three words best describe you? Firm, fair, hard-working.