The A-List: 2008

Job

Planning director

Company

MediaVest Manchester

Work Telephone

+44 (0)161 299 3909.

Address

117-119 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 6ED

Fantasy business partner

Nick Leeson.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

I've bought a Hummer.

Greatest influence

My personal trainer.

Clubs

WeightWatchers.

Favourite gadget

iPod toilet-roll holder.

Desert island objects

A helicopter, fuel, a pilot.

Most-admired politician

Margaret Thatcher, on account of everything she did.

Favourite media

Watchtower, Carrott Country, When Lap Dancers Attack, Kerrang!, lovelylargeladies.com.

Biggest risk taken

Starting some rumour or other.

Perfect day

Lunch with Jon Horrocks.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Jon Horrocks.

Career highlights

Er? (is that short enough?).

Fictional hero

Alasdair Ritchie.

Hidden talent

I can write a media plan.

Best job outside advertising

Cleaning bird shit out of cuckoo clocks.

Lowdown

Varley's move up to Manchester seems to paying dividends for the agency since he was instrumental in its capture of the Barratt Homes and Magnet accounts. He defies regional stereotypes by remaining one of the most plugged in men in UK media.

Most expensive purchase

Factory-matched pair of shotguns.

Why are you good at what you do?

Shameless self-promotion.