Harry Huyton, director of animal charity OneKind, on what makes him tick.

What is your morning routine?

My day starts with an early morning walk with my dog, Cody, in our local park, Braidburn Valley. It’s a beautiful spot. I particularly enjoy encountering the wildlife that lives there, like the dippers on the stream and the family of foxes who recently had cubs. Once home I join the rush to get us all ready and, depending on my wife’s shift, take my daughter to nursery. Then I hop on my bike to work, which I start with a coffee made in my AeroPress (look it up, they’re amazing) while I go through the emails.

Is lunch a five minute sandwich at your desk or do you find time for yourself?

I’m a great believer in taking time away from the desk for lunch. It makes us more efficient, productive and happier. Having said that, if it’s a busy day and I have deadlines, so be it.

What do you procrastinate over?

At work, very little. At home, what clothes to dress my daughter in, what to have for tea, what to do over the weekend…

What makes a good day at work?

Forgive the cliché, but I love my job, so all days are good. That’s why I work in the charity sector in the first place. The best days are those that we get to celebrate a victory or when we reach an important milestone on one of our campaigns.

If you were your boss would you like you?

Of course. I learnt early on from a particularly inspiring boss that a high performing team is built on genuine relationships that are positive, friendly, and based on mutual trust. I’m still good friends with many of my previous bosses and staff.

How often do you socialise with colleagues outside the Christmas party?

We have regular social gatherings for staff and volunteers. It’s important to get to know people outside of the office in a setting where people are more relaxed and themselves. Last weekend I spent a particularly fun evening with a small team of staff and volunteers cycling the Edinburgh Night Ride. I was especially impressed with my fundraising officer, who went from someone who didn’t even own a bike to completing a 50 mile ride in just two months. She didn’t even complain on the hills!

What's the worst job you've ever done?

When I tell people I spent three years ‘chugging’ they react like I told them I was a PPI salesman, but I loved it! You meet a huge diversity of people and every day you hear extraordinary stories and encounter touching generosity. Me and my colleagues were absolutely dedicated to the cause we were fundraising for, and success took great skill and determination. It was highly effective, both in terms of donor recruitment and getting the charity out there; it’s just such a shame that its reputation has been so damaged.

Why do you work in the third sector?

Because I want to do good with my life. And because the sector offers engaging and diverse jobs and the opportunity to work alongside incredible people.

Should there be a cap on charity chief executive pay?

I believe all charity staff should be paid fair and rewarding salaries for their hard work, but we have to face the fact that executive pay in charities sometimes goes beyond this. Excessively high salaries that are well above, for example, the Prime Minister’s salary, corrode public trust in the charity sector. Personally, I would like to see either an absolute cap or a cap relative to the lowest paid staff in a charity. MSF, for example, has a particularly commendable approach, with its CEO receiving no more than three times the salary of its lowest paid staff. The main argument against this is that it will drive talent away, but if MSF – a large and complex international charity - can do it, why can’t others? Ultimately, the charity sector is different. What we do is possible because of the altruism of our supporters, who give their time and money to charity to make the world to be a better place. I believe our sector should reflect these values.

Describe yourself as a drink ...

Based on my last answer, obviously not champagne…

What's your favourite album and film?

Blue Lines, Massive Attack. The Princess Bride. It’s like two decades of culture have passed me by.

Brian Denis Cox or Brian Edward Cox?

Professor Cox. I didn’t know I was interested in astronomy until I watched his shows. Ok, interested might be over-egging it. I know what a black hole is but haven’t got round to buying a telescope yet.