Lecturer in English. Communications consultant. Translator. Radio voice. TV presenter. Politician. Above all Tony Melville is someone who has seen how Finland has opened up to entrepreneurs from other countries.
For any foreigner who has lived in Finland for a considerable time the first question is always the same: what made you stay in Finland? Tony Melville, who was born in Liverpool but has lived in Finland since 1975, is unable to come up with a short answer. "It was a combination of factors that kept me in Finland. Learning the language and a permanent job, to begin with. Here I have family and friends." The answer is easy to understand when one takes a look at everything this jack-of-all-trades has been involved in during his time in Finland.
Lecturer in English: On graduating from the University of Cambridge in 1975 Melville had two thoughts about his future employment: either to join the BBC or teach English as a foreign language.
When the first ambition did not materialize, he decided to embark on the second. On the advice of an acquaintance Melville set off for Pori, on Finland's west coast, to teach English in schools, the workers' institute and different companies as well as give private lessons. In 1977 Melville left Finland for a couple of years to train as a teacher, but came back to Finland and Jyväskylä in 1979. After a spell of eight years at the University of Jyväskylä he went to the University of London to take a further degree and returned to Jyväskylä in the autumn of 1988 - this time for good.
"The number of international students at the university has grown tremendously since the 1980s. Many come to study languages because there's such a variety on offer", says Melville of the change in the university world.
Communications consultant: In addition to teaching Melville planned to start a communications consultancy right at the beginning of the 1980s. "Finland was a closed country until the end of the 1980s. For a foreigner it was extremely difficult to start one's own business."
According to Melville the situation changed radically when he acquired Finnish citizenship in the early 1990s and Finland opened up to Europe. The freelancer's thinking was influenced significantly by a man from the east.
"My view of Finland changed when Mikhail Gorbachev visited Finland and pronounced that he saw no obstacles to Finnish membership of the European Union."
The business atmosphere in Melville's view is now quite different to a couple of decades ago. There is much more cooperation between different agencies and players now, and foreigners have no difficulties in setting up their own firms.
Radio voice and TV presenter: To Finnish rally fans Melville's voice is more than familiar, since he has worked as Radio Central Finland's English-language rally commentator since 1992. Melville, who has turned his hand to pretty much everything, has also made numerous TV appearances. Melville has appeared in a light entertainment series and also presented and produced a number of food and travel programmes.
When making the Tony's Bistro series in the mid-1990s Melville often received stern criticism about the sometimes exotic ingredients he used in his dishes, but since then Finnish food culture has also undergone massive changes.
"Finnish cuisine is under-rated. The freshwater fish and forest produce - mushrooms and berries - available in Finland are unparalleled."
Politician: For Melville, the son of a Scottish father and English mother, Finnish citizenship also opened the door to Finnish political life. Melville had previously found it problematic that he could not vote in Finland or get involved in politics. He gained enough votes to be elected as a city councillor from the start of 1997.
"The reception I was given as a 'foreigner' in local politics was surprisingly positive. Naturally being elected to the city council also prompted questions - such as whether I was a simple opportunist." Melville eventually served three terms as a city councillor.
Resident of Jyväskylä: Melville is more familiar with Jyväskylä than many born and bred in the city. He ventures that the radical change in Jyväskylä has been primarily a good thing, but admits that the Englishman in him would also appreciate a dash more permanence. The architecture of Alvar Aalto, for instance, has that suitably timeless quality. Melville believes firmly that expertise in wellness technology, bio energy and wind power, as well as the research supporting these, will further reinforce Jyväskylä's ability to compete internationally.
"The successful cities of Europe are university towns that make use of new technology. Cities like this must look outwards; contemplating one's own navel is not an option."
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- Liverpool or Everton? "Liverpool. At primary school the bigger boys invited me to decide quickly."
- Fish and chips or steak and kidney pie? "If forced to choose, then steak and kidney pie."
- Cambridge or Oxford? "Cambridge. An idyllic place to study."
- The Beatles or Oasis? "The Beatles. More melodic and more influential."
- Downhill skiing or golf? "For preference, both."
- Television or radio? "Television. Editing TV programmes has given me great satisfaction."
Words by Tommi Salo Photos by Petteri Kivimäki and Tony Melville's family album