COFFEE BREAK with... Steve O'Connor, Senior Business Agent - Dental

When did you join Christie & Co?
October 2018.

Where were you when you accepted your role at Christie & Co? 
In the car on my way to a meeting.

What was your first job?
I worked in the local newsagents from the age of 13 and did that throughout secondary school and sixth form. My first proper job after university was in dental recruitment.

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie & Co?
I work in the dental agency team, so I appraise and sell dental practices across the West Midlands.

What’s your favourite thing about Christie & Co? 
The team and culture. We’re encouraged and supported to imagine we are running our own small business. Colleagues are always happy to help when needed and, despite spending less time in the offices together now, there is still healthy banter and camaraderie amongst the teams.

What's a favourite project that you’ve worked on at Christie & Co so far? 
I’m actively working on my largest project to date which probably wins based on size alone.

What’s been the biggest challenge of your career so far? 
The early part of the pandemic and being furloughed.

What’s been a highlight of your career so far?
All of 2021. After such a bleak year for everybody in 2020, by 2021 our whole team was back together, and we had a fantastic year.

Who in your industry do you feel most inspired by?
Simon Hughes. Establishing a dental agency team from scratch and within just a few short years becoming one of the leading players in the market - that’s quite remarkable.

Tell us a bit about your life outside work? 
I’m married with a 6-year-old son.

What’s your hometown? Where do you live now? 
Rugby, Warwickshire – I’ve lived here all my life.

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday? 
I’ve been to Las Vegas twice, which was great fun. But as far as relaxing in the sun goes, Cape Verde.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 
Bad manners.

If you could live and work in any city, where would you go? 
Somewhere in the south of France, probably Nice.

What would be your desert island meal? 
Steak and chips.

What’s your favourite film? 
The Last of the Mohicans.

What is one thing on your bucket list? 
Spend Christmas day abroad in the sun (my wife is having none of it at the moment).  

What is your biggest fear? 
Heights and spiders.

What news source do you read every day? 
BBC News App.

What’s your social media platform of choice? 
Facebook and LinkedIn.

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