- Welcome to Uzbekistan Mark. It has been already a month since you came to Uzbekistan, what are your impressions about our country?
Thank you! My impressions of Uzbekistan after my first month are very positive indeed; my family and I all really like the weather (perfect throughout my first month!), food (amazing, everything is so fresh and full of flavour) and best of all the people (very friendly, hospitable and a great sense of humour). So far I haven’t even been outside of Tashkent – which I think is a great place to live – and I’m very excited about visiting all the famous and historical places Uzbekistan has to offer.
- Can you tell about your background?
I was born in Northern Ireland and, as I still have a lot of family members there and also studied there, retain a great affection for this unique, beautiful country. However I moved to England as a small child and grew up in Sudbury, Suffolk (just over an hour on the train from London). Not the best known of English towns, but I can recommend Suffolk very much as a place to visit – lots of ancient villages and nice country pubs and restaurants. I am married with two children, aged 11 and 4, both of whom are happily attending schools in Tashkent.
- How did you start your career in the British Council and what attracts you to work in this organisations?
I recently realised that I have worked for the British Council for 20 years – not nice in one way, as I now realise I’m not as young as I was, and also that time flies frighteningly fast - but nice in another as I can look back to many happy and rewarding experiences since I started as an English language instructor at the British Council in Vilnius in 1994. For me there have been no regrets: I’ve worked in some great places, Romania, Poland and most recently Indonesia, but also had the opportunity to travel to many more when based in London; including places that I never thought I’d see – for example Guatemala and Ethiopia. But best of all has been meeting so many inspirational people throughout the world. Really, not other job could have given me this opportunity and I’ll always be very grateful for this.
- What do you like doing in your free time?
Well as I mentioned I have two young children who keep me very busy: taking them to Tashkent’s lovely parks is a priority. But I also like learning languages (my wife is Polish and we use that language, as well as English, at home) – so improving my Russian and learning some Uzbek is an important thing right now. Apart from that reading and playing the Ukulele keeps me happy.
- Can you share your personal success recipe?
Oh, I’ve never been asked that before, I guess it is a good sign…!
I think it must be to persist in doing what you enjoy deep down. I do think that I do that. Also I think it is important not to obsess about working long hours, but to learn to focus on the things that matter (I’m still learning how to do this though). Lastly, I believe in the importance of a consistent and strong personal organising system-yes it does sound boring but I think in today’s world this is vital in helping you keep calm and a sense of perspective.
- What are your plans for future?
For the first time in many years I am focused very much on the present and near future, and not the longer term. I want British Council Uzbekistan to build on the excellent programmes and relationships we already have to represent the best possible partner for Uzbekistan; that’s enough to keep me happy for now.