Portfolio Careers Aren't New

Fourteen very different jobs all at the same time - now that's what I call a portfolio career. Seamus McSporran worked as ambulance, bus and taxi driver, hotel keeper, fire chief, insurance agent, petrol pump attendant, pier master, police officer, postmaster, registrar of births deaths and marriages, rent collector, shopkeeper and undertaker on the Scottish Island of Gigha for 31 years before taking his well-earned retirement in 2000.

Seamus got a mention on the Channel Four news yesterday and my ears pricked up. He was awarded a British Empire Medal in 1989 for his service to the island's population, which started in 1965 as postmaster and shopkeeper. Gradually he took on more and more responsibilities - what a guy! I had to pay homage to him here for being a true portfolio careerist using an incredibly diverse range of skills and doing so really well. An inspiration to us all and proof that portfolio careers are not a new concept.