Each week Bath Business News gives a prominent member of the city’s business community the last word. This week Ben Veal, founder and director of purpose-driven PR firm Second Mountain Comms, answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST:
Film you watched? The Boss Baby 2: Family Business. The first instalment proved to be a surprise hit with my eldest son a few years back and has since become a firm favourite. When the sequel was announced, we knew it would be the perfect opportunity for my three year old to make his first cinema trip too alongside his big brother. Both boys loved it and, I have to admit, I did too.
Book you read? The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish. A terrific author who has a unique voice and carved out a niche for page-turning thrillers that consistently stay with you long after the final page is turned.
Music you bought/downloaded? Madeleine Peyroux’s Careless Love (Deluxe Edition) - perfect music to work to, chat with friends over, or just sit back, relax and enjoy in front of a crackling fire at the end of the day once the kids are tucked up in bed.
Concert or play you went to see? It’s been far too long! The last live gig I saw was Bloc Party performing their seminal Silent Alarm album at the Bristol Amphitheatre in 2019. It was a simply breath-taking and unforgettable night. My wife and I have tickets to see Sarah Millican’s long-anticipated Bobby Dazzler stand up tour at the Bath Forum next April and cannot wait; we all need a good laugh right about now!
Sporting event you attended? Those that know me, or are linked to me on social media, know that while I’m not much of a conventional sports fan, I’m a big ‘sports entertainment’ fan. I’ve been a devout follower of professional wrestling for the past 30 years, and the last event I attended live was WWE NXT UK Takeover in Cardiff a few months pre-Covid. It’ll be great to be back as part of a big crowd of fans again next year.
Holiday you went on? Our family holidays have been UK-based for the past few years, and we’ve loved exploring Wales and the South West together: we live in such a beautiful part of the world. We recently spent a week in a log cabin in the woods in Dorset; it was wonderful to get away, switch off and enjoy time together, away from the usual four walls that we’ve all become so accustomed to over these past 18 months!
Restaurant you ate in? I enjoyed a lovely lunch in Zizzi’s in Bath recently; you simply can’t beat a good calzone.
Thing that annoyed you? Inconsistent communications by our government throughout the pandemic, which continues to sadly be the case. Without getting too much on my soapbox here, the constant U-turns, ever-changing rules and hypocrisy shown by senior MPs and our country’s leadership is beyond farcical now – and shows no signs of abating.
Thing that made you laugh out loud? My boys. Every day. Launching and running a business during these strange times while parenting young children hasn’t been easy, but their joy, silliness and terrific little personalities grounds me and makes me smile every single day.
Piece of good advice you were given? Every time you say ‘yes’, think long and hard about what you’re saying ‘no’ to. I’ve learnt a lot of lessons as a small business owner who is trying to live and work with balance. This is the piece of advice that’s really struck with me recently. It’s impossible to do everything and please everyone, and ‘no’ may well be the most powerful word we all have at our disposal. Don’t be afraid to say it more often, to be able to spend time on what truly matters.
Ben Veal MCIPR is the founder and director of Bath-based Second Mountain Communications, a boutique consultancy that helps purpose-driven and ethical businesses to reach new heights through compelling content, proactive PR and sound strategy for a brave new world. As a marketing, PR and corporate comms professional with 15 years’ experience, Ben is committed to doing things the right way and making a positive impact. Ben is a CIPR Accredited Practitioner, a former freelance journalist and serves as a trustee for local charities People Against Poverty and Wiltshire Youth For Christ. Ben recently received the Gold Award for ‘Independent PR Practitioner of the Year’ at the 2021 CIPR Pride Awards for the South of England and Channel Islands. www.secondmountaincomms.co.uk
