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Tim Burnside, Deloitte

This week’s Green Collar Job Q&A is with Tim Burnside from Deloitte. Again, not strictly a green collar job but Tim has helped SIFT out with financial modelling for various projects over the past couple of years. Here are his answers to our Green Collar job questions:

1.    What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
I separate and recycle my rubbish. Also, I buy lots of things second hand, although my family would say that’s got more to do with me being an accountant than a greenie.

2.    How do you live more sustainably at work?
I think before printing whether it is really necessary and in addition all our printers are set by default to print duplex to minimise paper usage.  I turn off lights in areas not being used and when I leave my office. We also try to teleconference as much as possible, rather than travel to meetings.

3.    What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
How we manage our water resources more effectively. New Zealand is lucky to have a plentiful supply of water at present but I feel it needs to be managed to ensure it is put to the best possible use and also that it is not contaminated for future generations.

4.    What makes you smile?
My family and in particular my youngest daughter Jyla who is 7 months old, her lovely smile is infectious.

5.    What is your biggest pet peeve?
Dead cabbage tree leaves that fall and make our backyard look untidy and then the fact that they can’t be put in the green bin and therefore have to fill up our red bin (which is only emptied every second week).

6.    What is your favourite colour and why?
Blue and Gold – something to do with being born and bred an Otago boy I think.

7.    Do you have a favourite place in the world? Describe why?
No particular favourite comes to mind but I really enjoy the outdoors, whether it is mountain biking, walking or hiking, on the golf course, or working on the family farm.

8.    What’s your connection to the Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust?
Deloitte is SIFT’s preferred supplier for financial advisory services, particularly in relation to potential investments they are looking at making.  I am responsible for managing the relationship with Linda and the team and ensuring SIFT receives the advice and service they require.

9.    Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
I can’t recall a favourite teacher but I do have a lot of respect for a university tutor that had a particular knack of being extremely challenging and therefore ensuring that you were always well prepared, top of your game, and striving for bigger goals.  All good attributes that serve you well in life.

10.    What do you want to leave behind?
A world where my children and their children can live happily and safely.

11.    What do you think the future will bring?
Far greater environmental challenges than anything we currently imagine.

12.    Who is someone you really admire and why?
My wife – after finding out she was pregnant in the first week of university she went on to complete a four year first class honours degree, get a great job, while bringing up a wonderful daughter, Brooke.  She is extremely passionate and is currently doing a wonderful job of being a stay at home Mum for Jyla, while also setting up a home based web business and being a great support for Brooke & I.

13.    What is happening outside your window right now?
Not a lot that I can see.  It is dark but I can hear the wind blowing down more Cabbage Tree leaves.

14.    What is your favourite breakfast?
Weetbix with Rhubarb – you can’t beat it.

15.    What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Always plan your work then work your plan.