​Stuart Brooks of conservation charity John Muir Trust loves spending as much time outdoors and as little with frozen peas as possible

What is your morning routine?

I’ve always been an early riser, so the day normally starts around 6am, walking my dog Piper through the local woods on the edge of Dunblane. It’s probably my favourite time of the day, a good time to think – and I often compose emails or letters in my head. Everyone would benefit from starting their day in the woods!

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

It very much depends on the demands of the day. I don’t have a routine work day, which is something I really value. Lunch is always something to fit in around work, on the move or as part of a meeting. I’d rather have a sandwich sat on the top of a mountain than lunch in a Michelin starred restaurant (which I have to admit I’ve never had).

Even with hindsight and given a choice, I would still opt for the third sector. Our values mean more than the personal bottom line and that’s important to me

What do you procrastinate over?

Nothing especially – like most people I’m inclined to get on with the things that I like and avoid the things I don’t. I know myself well enough to know when I’m in the right frame of mind to tackle challenging tasks. We can’t always control the schedule, but if I can, I do the hard stuff in the morning.

What makes a good day at work?

There are so many things that could help to make a good day – and if you’re outdoors, virtually anywhere in Scotland can become a good day. Most people think as the chief executive of the John Muir Trust I spend my time wandering the hills – but that’s a rarity I’m afraid. So any time I can stand back and feel that I've made a difference – that’s a very good day.

If you were your boss would you like you?

Yes. I’m pretty level headed and hard working with a positive outlook. So as an employee – what’s not to like?!

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

Busy job and a young family don’t leave a lot of time for socialising. So, I’d have to admit it’s not very often.

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

A summer job working in a frozen pea factory in Lincolnshire (where I grew up). My job was to sweep up any peas that fell off a conveyor belt. It was mind-numbingly boring – I resorted to guessing the time by counting seconds in my head. I think I lasted four days. I then got a job as a postman, which by contrast was the best summer job I ever had.

Why do you work in the third sector?

I wanted to work in nature conservation and the third sector was an obvious choice because it allowed me to do something where I could make a real difference. I think there are probably more opportunities now in the private sector than when I started my career – but even with hindsight and given a choice, I would still opt for the third sector. Our values mean more than the personal bottom line and that’s important to me.

Should there be a cap on charity chief executive pay?

People should be paid a fair wage for what they do and the charitable sector has to compete for talent with the public and private sector – so no, I don’t think a cap is desirable. I think it’s more important to ensure that the gap between the top and bottom earners is controlled right across all three sectors. Generally speaking, I’d say the balance is better in charities. If money is a key motivator, chief executives can always find opportunities in one of the other sectors. However, I’ve also seen traffic coming the other way, for all the right reasons – and that’s very welcome.

Describe yourself as a drink...

Breakfast tea in a highland pottery mug (sitting outside).

What's your favourite album and film?

David Bowie has been an enduring hero and was the soundtrack to my youth, so I’ll go for Diamond Dogs. The film Waterland (based on the novel by Graham Swift) reminds me of the Cambridgeshire Fens, where my ancestors came from and some of my family still live.

Which Brian Cox?

The singing physicist. I like his humour, and the way he connects with a public audience. He’s knowlegeable, passionate and a man of some substance. No disrespect though to the other Brian Cox.