We meet the last candidate in the HR, recruitment and training category as the Q&As with the main 2015 BYPY finalists draw to a close. Gemma Dipple wishes to invoke the spirit of New York in Birmingham, invent a new method travel and encourage some love for coriander.

Name: Gemma Dipple

Job title: HR Advisor

Company: Higgs & Sons

BYPY category: HR, Recruitment and Training

1) If you could go back in time and have one conversation with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you discuss?

I would have a conversation with my late grandfather, to tell him how things turned out. I was the first in our family to go to university and he never really understood why I wanted to do it.

He passed away just before I graduated so I would like to reassure him that it has all worked out OK in the end. I think he would be really proud and relieved.

2) Which single element of any city in the world that you have visited would you like to see transplanted into Birmingham?

It is well documented that us Brummies are sometimes very self-depreciating when it comes to the city and being from Birmingham.

I would like us to have a 'New York attitude' and see us really start to 'own' our city and everything about it, including our accent. It's brilliant.

3) Which technological innovation would you happily see consigned to history and what would you like to see invented which doesn't yet exist?

It's really hard to choose something to erase as we've all become so dependant on technology in our day-to-day lives.

Like everyone else, I've always been uncomfortable with how social media can be misused but I don't think the answer lies in getting rid of it - it is more about education, behaviour and learning generally to be nicer to each other.

I would like to see a transport system invented with technology that meant no traffic jams, ever.

4) Think about who your ideal dinner guests might be but instead you can only invite their relatives. Who would you choose and what would you ask them?

I love food so it would be fascinating to invite the families of Michelin-starred chefs to dinner. I would want to know what they ate at home and what others in the family cooked for them - and maybe get some tips.

5) There are many 'National Days', some more obscure than others, but which one would you like to create that doesn't already exist?

Sticking with the food theme, I would create National Coriander Day. It's my favourite herb, I put it in (almost) everything. I always order extra with my curry and I want everyone else to like it as much as I do. Perhaps I'm slightly obsessed.