WE’VE probably all had jobs we didn’t like.

Richard Duffus admits he’s no different.

As a surveyor drawing up drainage plans and measuring field drains, the only positive he says he took from the process was learning how to stretch out his paces to exactly one metre.

In such situations, perseverance is vital.

Years later, Mr Duffus needed that quality again when the housing market became weighed down by the shackles of the economic downturn.

As prices fell, the industry was suffocated, but rather than wait to face the consequences, the 49-year-old was part of Addisons Chartered Surveyors’ decision to take a pro-active approach in securing its future.

The firm invested in staff and IT to come out of the other side stronger, and now, as the housing market continues its recovery, Addisons is operating from offices in Barnard Castle and Crook, in County Durham, and Richmond, in North Yorkshire.

Mr Duffus, who lives in Richmond, said: “The market situation was pretty dire and it is always worse the further you are away from London.

“We live in two countries; London and then the rest of the country.

“Everything starts in London and gradually comes up the M1.

“However, the change started in 2013, and we felt a recovery beginning in August and September of that year.

“It has continued through 2014 and we feel that things are coming right.

“Barnard Castle is a fantastic area, it has a great employer in GlaxoSmithKline, but the Dales are also doing well.

“The Chancellor’s stamp duty announcement is also good news for 2015.”

So just what did the firm do to change it fortunes?

For Mr Duffus, who once helped manage a ranch in Ecuador, “going around on a horse living every schoolboy’s dream”, the answer is simple; people.

He added: “When things were tough, we didn’t sit around just licking our wounds, instead we took the time to invest in staff and IT too.

“There are two things; the people and the property.

“The staff we have here are very people-orientated and it helps others when they know they can trust and rely on them.

“We’ve gone through the adversity and changed so much in the time I have been here, but the kick I get is seeing our younger people come in with real enthusiasm and flourish.”

What is your favourite North-East building? It’s not a building, but I love to stand on Middleham Moor above Pinkers Pond and look out over lower Coverdale towards Braithwaite Hall. It’s where I grew up and I have many happy memories of living there.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? It was on the family farm between school and Cirencester and I think it was £30 a week plus board and lodging.

What is the worst job you have had? I've been very lucky to have had some really interesting jobs. However, my first ever job on leaving Cirencester was definitely not one of them. I worked as a surveyor drawing up drainage plans and measuring the field drains. The only benefit was that by the end my pace was exactly one-metre in length.

What would you cook for me if I came for dinner? That would all depend on how much I like you. Seriously, I would start with serving potted crab with a good sherry and then probably Beef Wellington with roasted vegetables. For pudding I would serve a summer berry pudding and all wine would be chosen and provided by my good friend Andrew Firth.

What would your superpower be? Teleportation. I could just materialise wherever I wanted. How good would it be to spend an hour or two sipping wine in a little bar in the south of France following a day working in the office?

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party. A young Mohammad Ali, Marlena Dietrich, Eddie Izzard and Kate Bush. Oh, and could Edith Piaf turn up to sing a few songs?

Who has inspired you? I spent two years working for The National Trust in the east Midlands under the leadership of James Turner, who was an incredibly charismatic and respected leader. Both James and my father had the ability to communicate with anyone.

Favourite book? To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is my absolute hero.

What is your greatest achievement? Being under-18 county champion at the long jump and the 400m hurdles. Also, seeing my children turn into good and kind people, and helping to build the great team we have at Addisons, especially seeing the younger members flourish.

What is the best piece of advice in business you have ever been given? Don't be afraid of making mistakes, just don't make the same mistake twice and try and learn from them. That's what James Turner taught me.

What was the last band you saw live? Fleetwood Mac.

Describe your perfect night in. Family, friends, great food, wine and great conversation with lots of opinions thrown in for good measure.

In another life I would be... An anthropologist.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Easy, George Clooney. David Mitchell would probably be more realistic though as my children say he looks like me.

What irritates you? Where do I start? Reality TV programmes, restaurants that play "Happy Birthday", the media’s obsession with celebrity status; I could go on and on.

What is your secret talent? I'm pretty good at cross stitching, but don't tell anyone as it would destroy my street cred. I also make great rocky road and sloe gin.