The Heavenly Hotseat: Clare Matterson CBE, Director General, Royal Horticultural Society

A regular feature for the Heavenly Hymnsheet, our monthly email newsletter. Each month we invite a guest to share their answers to ten questions on what makes them tick.

1. Where and when were you happiest?

Just last night – taking an early evening walk with my partner and dog. First off, we walked through some small woods that no one really knows about and they were covered with snowdrops – drifts of white across the woodland floor. Then a long walk around fields as the day faded with a clear sky and a bright moon with a glowing aura filled the sky. With the sounds of the countryside going to bed, it was magical.

2. What do you value most in other people?

A smile.

3. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

I remember going to a work event with Marjorie Scardino, the former CEO of Pearson talking about her leadership style. She described that when faced with a difficult decision she would ‘err on the side of generosity’. It’s surprising, kind and brilliant advice that I try to stick with.

4. What did you dream of being when you were young?

A vet, David Attenborough…anything to do with animals and nature. And having worked at the Natural History Museum and now at the RHS, I feel pretty happy.

5. What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

My dog Minke – walking with me into a shop, going straight up to the shop owner, sitting nicely and staring at her intently – willing her to give him a biscuit. And it worked.

6. What keeps you awake at night?

I’m a good sleeper so it would have to be something really bad which isn’t somewhere I want to go.

7. What is your favourite word?

Discombobulated.

8. Which talent are you most envious of?

I would love to have a natural talent to draw – it’s just wonderful to see how people can create something from nothing with a few strokes of a pencil.

9. Which famous painting would you choose to have in your home?

One of the huge colour field paintings by Mark Rothko – but they wouldn’t fit.

10. What is your proudest moment?

I’m not sure I understand the sentiment ‘proud’. When I look back there are many things that I see and am very happy at the way they turned out. Some are work related such as setting up Wellcome Collection, or getting the top job at the RHS, others are hearing from younger colleagues who I have mentored and have made great strides in their career. But of course the most poignant is about family. And for me that is about raising my twins to be kind, funny, inquisitive people who can also cook and clean-up.