Ben Heslop is the Programme Manager for Cumbria BIPC. But what does he do in his spare time?

What does your job involve?

The Business and Intellectual Property Centre provides free business advice to anyone pre or post start up on all areas of business life from accountancy to branding and Intellectual property to finance.

I drive a….

Skoda Superb… sportline! It is the perfect mix of family estate for all my adventures and has a bit of go so I still feel like I haven’t totally sold out on the dream!

My favourite TV programme is?

I don’t watch much TV especially not in summer but in winter I do like to binge series. Traitors was a great watch and at the moment I am enjoying the western series 1883

Most memorable meal or favourite food?

Memorable meals can be so much more than the food, so some of my most memorable meals were out with my old sailing crew when we had had a great regatta. My partner Emily and I do like to treat ourselves and the Witchery garden room is a favourite, also love Heft, always worth the travel.

My idea of a great weekend involves…

A bit of everything! I love keeping fit so some wild swimming or a pool session is always my preferred start, nice and early get it done. Adventures with my boys Elijah (9) and Otto (6) is always fun, playing games and chilling out at home as well as a good dose of tasty food. We have just moved house so Emily and I both love cooking with a nice glass of wine and a beer and enjoying the fruits of our labour as the house was a big project!

Biggest inspiration

Has to be my parents, they both gave me so much freedom to be who I wanted to be but also the guidance to help be the person I am today, I am so lucky to have them both as friends, they are also Really fun which helps!

Which sport do you follow and who do you support?

I have never been that into conventional sports, I sailed a lot and quite often follow the Americas cup or the SailGP. I also love the summer and winter Olympics where you can see the world’s best perform. I am more likely to be watching a documentary on the story of getting to the games rather than the event, I love seeing what it takes.

Favourite pub, café or restaurant in Cumbria

Locally I love The Last Zebra, quality honest food and great beer, wider afield I would say Heft or Askham Hall. I do love the menus they both create

Favourite walk in Cumbria

Too many to chose from we are spoilt for choice! I have spent so long walking, running and racing round the lakes I couldn’t pick one! I do have a route on Blencathra that Is my ‘go to’ run if I want to switch off and get away from it all. I have done it in boiling sunshine and waist deep snow, it never disappoints and it is always dead quiet so I’m not telling you the starting point!

What was the first piece of music you ever bought?

In the 80s I remember being given tapes by ‘older kids’ and they were like a dream to me! I totally put my love of music down to my early experiences of hearing Genesis and Fleetwood Mac, Dylan and Led Zepplin on Memorex tapes with all the names written by hand! Sadly the first tape I remember buying was MC Hammer’s You Can’t Touch This from Woolworths in Penrith! Quickly followed by Bon Jovi Keep the Faith on vinyl! One still gets played, the other is lost in time!

Early riser or enjoy a lie-in?

Early riser, I wish I could sleep more at times but overall I love not needing much sleep.

How important is social media to you and what channels do you use?

I love and loathe Instagram in equal measure! It is too good at showing you what you want so I limit my time on it. It is great for catching up on what friends are doing and content I love from different racing teams or dreaming of boats, Land Rovers and holidays I want to take!

The book or film which has had a lasting impact on you

La Haine, it is one of the most beautifully shot movies of street culture in France in the 90s in my humble opinion. The soundtrack the dialogue and the cinematography and acting are all very special.

Apart from a mobile phone, which piece of technology has improved your life in the last couple of years?

Music is very important to me so while my Sonos system is great for whole house music with ease, I did treat myself to a Linn stereo system! It was a total indulgence but it reminded how great a good set up can sound and has got me back into all the records I have collected over the years.