Kris Gumbrell is chief executive of the Brewhouse & Kitchen Group, which has 20 venues nationwide including those in Bournemouth, Dorchester, Poole and Southbourne

What would be your perfect day out in Dorset?

For me, there’s nothing like sipping a locally brewed beer on a warm summer’s evening and watching the sunset over the Dorset coast. We are lucky enough to have a beach hut on Southbourne’s beautiful beach front and it must be one of my favourite places in the world. So, to answer the question my perfect day out would be spent relaxing on the beach, enjoying the great scenery with my wonderful wife and fun-loving daughter.

What are your fondest memories of the county?

Looking back at my university days, I used to love catching the waves and surfing at Boscombe beach every Wednesday afternoon. I also enjoyed finding hidden country pubs in the Purbecks on the back of my old MG Midget, before coming back to revise for my finals on the beach at Sandbanks.

After moving back to Bournemouth in 2005, I can vividly remember the joy at the birth of my daughter at Poole Hospital in 2007. More recently I’ve had the pleasure of finishing two Bournemouth Marathons. Last year we also celebrated both mine and my wife Fran’s 50th birthday with all our friends at Bistro on the Beach in Southbourne.

What has been your proudest achievement?

Setting out from my hometown of Bournemouth, my biggest achievement has been building Europe's second largest brewpub group. Focusing on craft beer and traditional pub grub with a twist, the Brewhouse & Kitchen now has 20 establishments spread across the UK. This has created over 300 new jobs in only five years. Celebrating the diverse styles and flavours of beer, I am also incredibly proud to now have over 325 beers in our own brewed range. A huge achievement, we hit the 1 million pints per year milestone last year.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My daughter is my main source of inspiration. As a business owner and father, I’ve found that my daughter makes me feel more confident, more courageous and more able to overcome what seem like insurmountable challenges. At 11-years-old, she’s already fascinated by the hospitality business. This has inspired me to bring more young people into the industry and I’m currently leading efforts to have a level four apprenticeship in brewing up and running this year.

What would be your favourite thing to do when you have a day off?

I’m an avid car enthusiast, so whenever I get time to spare I like to take my old cars out for a spin in Dorset’s countryside. My favourite places to visit include local beauty spots such as Poole Harbour or the Studland beach and nature reserve.

Spending time with the family is also high on my agenda. On days off, I find cycling along Bournemouth’s bay with my family really fun and relaxing.

Where is your favourite place to eat in the county?

Aside from the Brewhouse & Kitchen? You can't beat the WestBeach beside Bournemouth’s Pier Approach on a summer's evening. It has a simply stunning location, plus some of the freshest, local seafood you can get anywhere in the county. Delicious!

What three things do you associate with Dorset?

Unrivalled in the UK, Dorset has a unique combination of golden sandy beaches, wonderful unspoiled countryside and an abundance of friendly happy people. It’s such a great place for families and the main reason why I decided to come back here with my own family after founding the Brewhouse & Kitchen group.

If you could summarise the county in one word what would it be?

Idyllic. Dorset is a quintessentially English county and in one day you can go from charming market towns such as Dorchester to larger urban centres at Poole and Bournemouth. Each area has its own unique appeal, featuring enchanting little shops, attractions, pubs, restaurants and cafes. There are also some fantastic local events, including the Southbourne Shake & Stir Vintage Festival, the Bournemouth Air Show and the Dorset Seafood Festival to enjoy throughout the year.