WHAT does nursing, car parts manufacturing and property development have in common?

The answer is Jeremy O’Connor has managed them all.

The businessman, who lives in Ingelby Barwick, near Stockton, has recently taken on the first Teesside-based franchise of Adore Properties.

But Jeremy actually began his professional career taking care of people rather than properties.

“From a young age, I have always had an interested in improving people’s lives.

“I enjoyed studying for my psychology and sociology A Levels, so nursing allowed me to follow on from that in a practical way.

“I look back at those years as good times, but I realised it was time to move on.”

He would eventually follow his father into Stockton-based car parts manufacturer Nifco, when the company was previously known as Elta Plastics.

“When I arrived in 1987, people thought I would have low managing skills as I had worked in health.

“It turned out I was ahead of them – they were stuck in their ways of the 60s and 70s.

“It is all about good quality management - you need to give people things to do, and help and guide them along the way.

“It gives a good working environment and it is important to have a good team.”

But almost 30 years later, Jeremy has found another new venture to go into – this time involving property development.

“I have been involved with property development for 25 years, and an opportunity arose to go into sales as well as letting.

“I had been toying with the idea for a few years - I was looking for my next move and I wanted to do something that was exciting and challenging.

Despite his different working environments, Jeremy has found one key similarity.

“Again, it was about the right team.

“At the moment, we are looking to expand around Teesside.

“You never know what opportunities might arise – we are always looking for interest.”

Despite originally being from Leicester, he now has a strong affinity for the North-East.

“I love the way the area has gone and is going. It has improved so much in the last 10 years. It Is going to be vibrant and exciting moving forward.

Jeremy is another passionate adopted Teessider who found the BBC’s recent article on Middlesbrough a bit wide of the mark.

“I have spent a lot of time in Middlesbrou8gh. The people there have done a lot to improve the town. All the intercontinental restaurants have added to the community and helped to stimulate the town.

“I am very proud of the North and its town and cities, its people heritage and culture. It really irritates me when you hear the London politicians talk as if they live in the only place that matters.”

Throughout his busy working life, Jeremy has always found opportunities to spend time with his family, even if it has been a challenge on occasions.

“It can be hard – the children can suffer at times, but we make it up to them when we can.

“We are a very close family. We go to the Lake District a lot. We love to stay in a cottage and go walking.

“I love to get out and see nature. We are blessed in Teesside that whichever direction you turn, we are surrounded by places to go and walk, not forgetting the beautiful coastlines we have nearby.

He says in another life, this love would have resulted in him being a travel writer.

“I love the experience of meeting new people and seeing different cultures. They are the same people, but their environments and ways of life are so different.

With a number of career changes so far in his life, perhaps it would be foolish for Jeremy to rule it out any time soon.

Five minutes with... Jeremy O'Connor

Favourite North-East building and why? MIMA Art Gallery in Middlesbrough - I think the design adds much to the centre of Middlesbrough and in its position, it gives the town a feel of a modern and bright European City. I love to spend time in there especially with my family, exploring the various exhibitions.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? Working in a nursery garden picking strawberries, back breaking even at 15. I think I was paid £8 per week.

What is the worst job you've had? Working at Rowntree Macintosh packing KitKats, you had to fill a box of 48 in 4 handfuls. The stretch to pick up 12 4 finger Kit-Kats was painful.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? Beef Madras

What would your superpower be? Swinging from building to building with my web.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party: Earnest Hemingway, Robert Capa, James Taylor, Annie Lennox.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? Camera. £2,000. 

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? It’s hard to choose just one but Sir Richard Branson, as an entrepreneur I have known from the early days of the record shops, and he always has something interesting to say.

Favourite book? Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks. This was the first book that brought home some idea of what it was like in the First World War.

When did you last cry? It does not take much to make me cry, especially watching my children perform in the school productions.

What is your greatest achievement? My children, and I am very proud of them.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? To keep a diary so that you can learn from what you have done and to watch the cash flow.

Favourite animal and why? I love having dogs they are such good company and return the love you give them many times.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow, the founder of the Charity “Mary’s Meals”.

What was the last band you saw live? Nazareth at the ARC in Stockton

Describe your perfect night in: Good friends around the table, good food and wine and plenty of lively talk.

In another life I would be... ? A travel writer. 

Who would play you in a film of your life? Liam Neeson.

What irritates you? I am very proud of the North and its town and cities, its people heritage and culture. It really irritates me when you hear the London politicians talk as if they live in the only place that matters.

What's your secret talent? Photographer.