Work Life Quiz: Vicky Sandry, BSkyB

What was your first-ever job?

Saturday shop assistant in a village pharmacy.

What was your worst ­experience as a trainee?

Being invited to a ­completion as a bag carrier and actually having to carry the bags. The ­champagne did offset the humiliation somewhat.

Where’s the best place to go if you want to find out what’s really going on in the office?

After work drinks.

What time do you usually leave the office?

I leave in time to pick up my two boys (aged five and eight) from school on Wednesdays and Fridays. On the other days I try to get home in time to say goodnight at 7:30pm.

What do you do at weekends?

Chill out with the children; read the papers cover to cover; baking if I get time. I love having people around for dinner and I’ve also been known to hit the karaoke on occasion.

What’s your favourite ­restaurant?

Le Relais des Salines, a fish restaurant in an old oyster shack on the Ile d’Oleron.

If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been?

When I was younger I wanted to be an artist and I kept up painting and ­drawing until I had ­children and life got too busy. But I hope to take it back up in retirement.

What’s your favourite film?

Secrets and Lies.

What was the first record you ever bought?

Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash.

Who’s your hero and why?

I love Michel Roux’s ­commitment and passion. Closer to home, my boss [Sky ­general counsel] James Conyers is a­personal hero because of his commitment to part-time flexible working.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I’ve been at Sky for 11-and-a-half years and in that time I don’t think there’s been a year when we’ve not had at least
one big transaction with a ­regulatory angle or a big investigation. It’s ­intellectually ­challenging every day.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?

See above.

What’s your biggest work/career mistake and what did you learn from it?

When I moved into a part-time management role, I thought I had to be across everything in minute detail. The lesson learned is that you need to know just enough and focus on where you can add value.

What car do you drive?

Audi A6.

What book are you reading?

I’m about to start The Hare with Amber Eyes: A ­Hidden Inheritance by Edmund de Waal.

What’s your favourite ­children’s book?

Anything by Martin ­Waddell.

What’s the most exciting deal/case you’ve worked on and why?

In 2006, we acquired a 17.9 per cent stake in ITV, which caused a lot of press commentary, and we ended up in the Court of Appeal. It was a ­fascinating case for ­competition lawyers as it dealt with the concept of material ­influence, as well as the public interest regime for media mergers.

If you were stranded on a desert island what two ­luxury items would you take?

My iPad and a sun lounger.

What’s the worst partner ­conference location you’ve attended and why?

I’ve never been to a partner conference but I once went on an offsite that involved clambering from one very tall tree to another using various terrifying means.

What’s the longest you’ve worked without sleep?

All-nighters when a trainee at McKenna & Co.

If a movie was being made about your life, which actor would play you and why?

Tina Fey. She’s funny and looks good in glasses.

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?

Paul Daniels.

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself (in any order)

I used to play women’s football; I’ve seen ­Metallica live; I never swear at work.