Employment Is All About Making A Comeback
Michael Grade has jumped ship to ITV and is looking at a new career in rescuing an ailing broadcaster. Is it because he's 62 years old?
By Patrick Hind -
When people are young, fresh out of university, or simply looking to get a job as soon as possible, it seems that the beginning of your career is the time when your income should start climbing and your options are endless. CVs written by young people are notable for the optimism and endless enthusiasm to run the show now. However, it seems increasingly obvious that in actual fact it's the older generation that should be considering their options. Far from pondering retirement, the 'grey haired ones' should start considering their next career move.
Mr Grade's pay packet will reportedly increase by a substantial sum and he will benefit from a few months of uninterrupted and fully supported leadership. It's hard to imagine a better position to be in two years before you're supposed to be making a speech, blowing out some candles and trundling off with the contents of your desk. Who wants to retire to Spain nowadays? Am I to assume that the over-sixties are now going to start signing up with head hunters anxious to fill a new executive spot?
Entertainment is perhaps the comeback sector of them all and we've seen a number of rather high-profile figures re-emerge from the depths of exile recently. Step forward Mr Jarvis Cocker and Mr Phil Collins, both of whom had been relegated to the depths of documentaries and compilation albums before a few months ago. Phil Collins is back for a world tour and Jarvis with a new record and sell-out UK gigs.
The 'Jarv' has never been cooler; he's appeared at number four in the NME cool list. That's cooler than Pete Doherty, Alex Turner, Liam Gallagher and Jack White. Evidently it's not all about rock 'n' roll behaviour and supermodel girlfriends; it's far cooler to run away to France and do a bit of gardening for while.
As BBC director-general, Mark Thompson, set about emailing his staff about Mr Grade's departure, he must have done so with some shock. "Many of you will have already heard the news that Michael Grade, the chairman of the BBC, has decided to accept the job of executive chairman of ITV," he wrote. "ITV needs a new leader and Michael's many strengths and long experience make him a strong candidate for the job. We're sorry to see him go but wish him the very best for the future."
That's right, don't get a youngster to do a proper job. The veterans are back, and they're cooler than ever.
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