Dougie Scarfe joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as its new chief executive in July 2012 after a successful career as performer, manager and director at Opera North.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT DAY OUT IN DORSET?

It would have to involve the beach along from Sandbanks to Bournemouth. We’ve recently just managed to get ourselves a beach hut at Branksome. For me, right from being a child, there is nothing better than sitting on the beach on a beautiful summer or winter’s day just watching the world go by.

WHAT ARE YOU FONDEST MEMORIES OF THE COUNTY?

I’ve not been here very long, having come down from Yorkshire in 2012, but my fondest memories would have to involve the extraordinary landscape. The combination of urban and country always amazes me. When getting the chain ferry from Sandbanks, you can go from being in an urban area to five minutes later being in the beautiful country. It gives you the feeling that you’re going from almost one world to another.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT?

My proudest achievement is becoming chief executive of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a world class organisation with an amazing 125-year history, and the work we’ve done in the last five years to make the organisation a more stable business and for usto really reach out to audiences not just in the concert hall but also in the amazing communities across the South of England.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

I’ve been inspired about music and the power of music since I was 10-years-old when I was given my French horn for a Christmas present. Ever since then I’ve seen the power that music has had on my life and almost everyone I’ve ever come in contact with. Now, running a company, my inspiration comes not only from the music, but from all of the amazing people I work with.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A DAY OFF?

Without a doubt, get the eight o’clock chain ferry from Sandbanks to the other side and the run over the Purbecks and back round through Studland. There is nothing more amazing than running down the centre of the road early in the morning. That is my favourite thing.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO EATIN THE COUNTY?

There are lots of great places in Dorset to eat, but for the combination of seafood, extraordinary views and the best sunset in the world it has to be the Shell Bay seafood restaurant.

WHAT THREE THINGS DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH DORSET?

Beaches, the best sunsets and world-class businesses.

IF YOU COULD SUMMARISE THE COUNTY IN ONEWORLD WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Unique. You can almost go from one world to another in just five minutes, from an urban area to themiddle ofthe countryside. It’s this really interesting contrast that makes it of one ofthe most incredible placesto live, but also a fantastic place to do business, to see the number of world-class businesses that are actually based here is amazing. The perfect combinations of these things make Dorset truly unique.