MIKE Waterston once dreamed of a career in the aircraft industry, but it was with a business that began in the basement of his home that he has enjoyed his greatest success.

Talking to the man who, with his wife Sally, runs the Durham City IT and business consultancy that bears their name, you get the impression that Mr Waterston's career could have taken him in myriad directions.

Born and bred in Morpeth, Northumberland, he reckons that in his younger days he was desperate to spread his wings and build a life away from the North-East, but fate seems to have pulled him homewards.

That has been good news for the region. Waterstons is now a £6m turnover operation, employing more than 80 skilled staff.

With a degree in aeronautical engineering, an MSC in high temperature gas physics and dynamics, and a PHD, Mr Waterston was applying to the likes of Rolls-Royce for a job when, out of the blue, he was offered a route into the Teesside chemicals industry by pigments firm Tioxide.

"I had expected I'd have a career well away from the North-East, most likely in aeronautics, but it was ironic that here I was travelling to work at Portrack Lane, in Stockton," he recalled.

In his 19 years with Tioxide, he headed its research and development and IT divisions, and became managing director of the UK company.

When it was bought out by ICI, he began to get itchy feet.

"I wasn't wildly enthusiastic about what was happening and I felt constrained in the company. I turned my back on the chemical industry and joined up in business with my wife, Sally.

"There was an element of push and pull because I had always had a desire to be a businessman. I felt like I needed to do something new. Sally, who came from a background of IT, had started the business when our kids were very small. She had a lot of skills that complemented mine, so I knew that between us we could make a success of it. It seemed like a logical thing to do," he said.

Twenty years down the line and Waterstons has offices in Durham, a London base, and over the past three years, thanks to referrals from customers, has doubled sales.

"To all intents and purposes people looking at it would say that it has been a big success," said Mr Waterston, who is reluctant to rest on his laurels.

"But you never achieve everything you hope to, and there is a lot I'd like to see us do – get bigger, be more profitable and become a more influential business, both in the North- East and across the country.

"We have been growing the number of people we have here, which is clearly good for the local economy. We have close relationships with the North-East universities, and a strong recruitment strategy so we haven't had any real difficulty in getting top graduates to join the company.

"We normally set our sights on getting four or five a year and we have never failed to get the number we're looking for. We have very good working conditions for people here, so we not only get them, but we tend to keep them, too."

Does he still harbour a desire to live and work elsewhere?

"No, not now. We have a strong bond with Durham.

Our roots are here and I can't see the headquarters moving so long as we are involved.

You know what they say, the HQ is never very far away from where the boss lives. It takes me five minutes to get to work. I'd be mad to want to change that."

Five minutes with... Mike Waterston

Favourite North-East building and why?

I like Durham Cathedral. It’s awesome and I never tire of looking at it. Durham is my home town, so I see it at least once a day on my way into the office.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid?

A paper round boy paid £1 per week. I did this until I went to university, my pay went up by the time I finished. The Christmas tips were excellent.

What is the worst job you've had?

Production manager in a chemical works – highly pressurised, dirty and not a little dangerous.

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

Fish fingers and beans – I’m a lousy cook. Sally, my wife, is an excellent cook so I rely on her.

What would your superpower be?

An ability to move objects by the power of mind over matter, so I could move people loitering in the middle lane out of the way.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party

George Jackson Churchward, chief mechanical engineer of the Great Western Railway from 1902 to 1922; Barnes Wallis, inventor of the Dambusters bomb – I met him once, he was a genius; Tommy Flowers, inventor of the original computer; and Stephen Fry, to lighten the conversation.

Most expensive thing you've bought – other than car or house – and how much?

My Hi-Fi and mind your own business. I love listening to all sorts of music, but I have a special passion for opera.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why?

Tom Peters, the business guru – he’s full of wisdom. He’s had a big influence on my business life.

Favourite book?

In Search of Excellence by Peters and Waterman. A great guide to running a good business.

When did you last cry?

When playing with my granddaughter, she’s full of character and already knows how to keep me on my toes at the age of two.

What is your greatest achievement?

Working with my wife to create a great IT services business.

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

Have confidence and never ever give up – by an old colleague from Tioxide. I knew him as a friend long after we finished working together.

Favourite animal and why

A stuffed teddy bear – it’s cute and doesn’t shed hair or defecate in the street.

What was the last band you saw live?

Lionel Richie at Newcastle Arena with Sally. It was brilliant but it was quite a while ago. I don’t go to see pop bands live. I go to the theatre and the opera a lot.

Most famous person on your mobile phone

Ian Brown, the concert pianist. I was at university with him, we shared a flat.

Describe your perfect night in

Dinner with my wife and a good bottle of wine, preferably a puligny montrachet followed by an Ealing comedy.

In another life I would be...

An opera singer

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Dirk Bogarde, because he is cool and full of style.