Stuart Anderson, managing director of Wilkinson Maintenance

FROM tearing through challenging rally stages in a modified Hillman Imp, to facing one of the world's toughest yacht races, Stuart Anderson has always enjoyed the adrenalin-fuelled side of life.

Little surprise then that the world of business holds little fear for the 57-year-old.

When he's not heading his company, Durham City-based Wilkinson Maintenance, Stuart's equally at home manning a 70ft racing yacht and getting his hands dirty as a crew member to bolster son Chris' rally driving career.

He was selected to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which takes in Cape Town, Western Australia and New Zealand, but had to put the plans on hold.

However, he remains committed to one day being part of the exhilarating experience, and is also hopeful of rekindling those high-speed rally driving days.

He said: “The sailing started when I lived in Southampton, a friend had a 34ft yacht and let me use it if he wasn't.

“I saw a TV programme about the race, called Against the Tide, and it looked fantastic, a real challenge of a lifetime.

“I applied to be in the race, went to down to Portsmouth for interview, and was accepted.

“But one of the things you don't realise is the sheer physical strength that you need to have to operate the yachts.

“A wet sail on a 70ft yacht weighs about a quarter of a ton and takes about six people to move it, something you could be doing up to six times.

“My rallying days now centre around Chris, whose leading the North of England Tarmac Rally Championship, and helping his service crew.

“But I used to rally a Hillman Imp and recently bought one with the intention of re-building it to full rally specification.

“I did the Tour of Hamsterley back in 1975, and would love to do it again on the 40th anniversary of that appearance in 2015.”

A qualified surveyor, he took the plunge more than 20 years ago with his wife Sue, when they bought a company with just three members of staff.

That firm, today Wilkinson Maintenance, has 45 workers and a turnover of about £5m, with ambitious plans to cultivate future growth.

It specialises in maintenance and refurbishment of commercial properties, and last year saw demand for its services soar after pubs, shops and schools were badly affected by the region's flash flooding.

He said: “My wife and I were living in Southampton at the time and bought the business as a going concern.

“I had been running a building company for a couple of years but Sue, who is from South Shields, became homesick when she fell pregnant with our first child, so I started looking for jobs.

“I saw an advertisement in the paper for a small building company that was for sale, we took it on and have gone from there.

“It has its ups and downs and is a bit like a roller coaster at times trying to get the work, but we are doing very well and constantly looking to increase our workload.

“We are always talking to new clients and there might be something in the pipeline for us at Sedgefield Racecourse too.

“We are still looking to grow the company and want to see turnover hitting £7.5m in the next five years.”

Favourite North-East building and why? Our offices in Durham. I spend all week there.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? Brims Builders in Walker. I was a trainee architectural technician and got £10 a week.

What is the worst job you've had? Plucking turkeys for a friend on Christmas Eve.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? Pizza What would your superpower be? To fly and let loose on all the people who have upset me over the years.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party. Cheryl Cole, and the lads from Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? A £65,000 boat. Not the best investment I have ever made.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? I don’t use it.

Favourite book? Team Spirit, by Brendan Hall, the story of the Round the World Yacht Race. or Frankie Boyle’s autobiography.

When did you last cry? When my daughter Emma's horse died.

What is your greatest achievement? Being married for 23 years and having two great kids. Also being accepted as crew member for the Round The World Yacht Race.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? Delegate and check.

Favourite animal and why? Meerkat. I love the TV adverts.

Most famous person on your mobile phone. Don’t know any.

What was the last band you saw live? Chris Rea. Also Thriller Live at Sunderland Empire a few weeks ago. It was the next best thing to the real thing as we had tickets to see Michael Jackson at the O2 Arena.

Describe your perfect night in. Pizza and wine with my wife and a good sci-fi movie that doesn’t take much thinking about.

In another life I would be... A professional sailor.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Rowan Atkinson, people say we look similar.

What irritates you? People who drive in the middle lane on motorways, even more so if they have their fog lights on.

What's your secret talent? I'm excellent at cleaning my son Chris' rally car windows.