Penny Black’s Social Diary: Biba’s buffet and murder mysteries

Scott’s Silver Jubilee

Aviva’s group director of public affairs Scott Colvin took us on a trip down memory lane with his 25-year career retrospective post on LinkedIn. 

He included an incredibly wholesome photo from 2001 that had me reminiscing about my own early days (though being first issued in 1840, my vintage pictures are considerably less colourful).

I’m sure many contending with the job market could relate to his candid recollection of sending out 100 CVs and only getting three interviews.

Special points to Scott for his honesty when asked about his views on the Conservative party when he first joined. I always delight in examples of career risks worth taking.

His mention of online cricket in the photo’s caption also had me wondering if that was what passed for social networking before LinkedIn came along.

A nostalgic thumbs up for his refreshingly honest career chronicle.

Braving Antarctic Tundras

Reading Specialist Risk Group’s LinkedIn post about sponsoring para-athlete Jonny Huntington’s historic achievement, I felt very silly for complaining about UK winters over my many years as Post’s party girl.

Jonny became the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. In just 45 days, he trekked 911km of Antarctica tundra with limited mobility down his left side.

SRG used the hashtag #DifficultDoneWell when sharing Jonny’s feat, and that has my stamp of approval for summing up his astonishing accomplishment perfectly.

Though I do wish they’d shared what snacks he packed for his journey… you know how I feel about provisions.

Penny’s Lunch Box

Pastries, plenty of sandwiches and wraps plus a fruit platter is why Penny Black’s stomach wasn’t rumbling when the British Insurance Broker’s Association’s top brass outlined the contents of this year’s Manifesto. Four stars.