Mark Jones has been editor of The Gazette for 13 years, and has worked at the newspaper for 18 years.

He started his career in journalism at the Worcester Evening News in 1985, and has worked on various newspapers during his 30 years in the profession.

Married to wife Donna, the couple have a 16-year-old daughter, Pippa.

Mark, who is 50, is leaving The Gazette at the end of the month to take up a new role as director of fundraising and communications for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, which is seeking to raise £5million towards an £18.5m state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre for the population served by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

1. Who was your childhood hero, and why? My dad – I went everywhere with him, and I used to love watching him play football.

2. What is your most precious possession, and why is it important to you? My memories of all the good times I have spent with my family, friends and work colleagues. Their importance speaks for itself.

3. What was the first record/CD you bought? Sugar, Sugar by The Archies.

4. What is the radio/television show you hate to miss? 24.

5. What is your favourite film? There’s way too many but I’ll go for Steve Martin’s The Man With Two Brains, and Love Actually.

6. What is your pet hate? Injustice or intolerance in any shape or form.

7. What are you reading at the moment? The Gazette, of course.

8. If you were choosing a last meal, what would it be? Bruschetta followed by scallops, dauphinoise potatoes, a nice salad, tiramisu, all accompanied by a bottle of Prosecco.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be? Jesus.

10. If you had a time machine where would it take you? My wedding day, the birth of my wonderful daughter, and February 27, 2011 (see answer 16 for why).

11. If you were stranded on a desert island, what luxury would you choose to have with you? A speedboat – and then I could leave.

12. What sports team do you support? Birmingham City FC and, of course, any team representing Basingstoke.

13. What was your first job? Trainee reporter on the Worcester Evening News.

14. If you could take over someone’s job for the day, whose job would you choose? England manager Roy Hodgson on a match day – it’s the only way to get a Birmingham City player in the England side.

15. What worries you the most? The wellbeing of my family and friends.

16. What is your proudest moment? Marrying my wonderful wife, the birth of our amazing daughter...and Birmingham City winning the Carling Cup on my birthday in 2011.

17. What would you like your epitaph to be? They think it’s all over...or is it?

18. What’s your guilty pleasure? Fish finger sandwiches on brown bread with a nice glass of chilled Pinot Grigot.

19. What one thing could change society for the better? An end to poverty, intolerance and injustice in society and the world.

20. What three words best describe you? Husband, father, son.