Darren Kennedy: 'I like people to pull their weight and do what they are there to do'

Darren Kennedy. Picture Andres Poveda

My earliest ambition was to become a vet. I was always obsessed with animals and with nature. At one point I had about 20 animals in my care — dogs, cats, birds, fish, turtles, frogs, the works. My dad drew the line at a pet lamb.

After school I went to university to study International business and languages, spending my third year on Erasmus in Bordeaux which was a phenomenal time.