Former Defence Secretary and television presenter Michael Portillo will reflect on a remarkable career spanning North Sea energy, the highest levels of British politics and international broadcasting when he visits Aberdeen next month.
The former Conservative Cabinet minister will be the guest at a special Ultimate Masterclass Festival (UMF) Business Breakfast at P&J Live on Thursday, November 26, offering a fascinating perspective on some of the biggest political and economic issues facing Britain today.
From briefing Margaret Thatcher ahead of press conferences to travelling offshore from Aberdeen while working for one of the North Sea’s biggest independent oil and gas operators, Portillo’s career gives him a rare perspective on the challenges facing our region today.
Early career in Aberdeen
Long before becoming one of the country's most recognisable television personalities, Portillo worked in the energy industry, serving as a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Energy under Margaret Thatcher between 1979 and 1981.
He subsequently joined oil and gas company Kerr-McGee, where he worked between 1981 and 1983, before returning to the business as an adviser following his departure from Parliament in 1997.
That experience gives him a particularly interesting perspective on the future of the North Sea, Britain's energy security and the changing relationship between government and the oil and gas industry.
Scaling political heights
Portillo went on to become one of the most prominent figures in Conservative politics, serving in three Cabinet positions under John Major, including as Secretary of State for Defence between 1995 and 1997.
His time overseeing Britain's armed forces, alongside his experience at the heart of government, provides a unique insight into questions of national security, defence spending and Britain's place in an increasingly uncertain world.
Once widely tipped as a future prime minister, his political career suffered a spectacular setback at the 1997 general election when he lost his supposedly safe Enfield Southgate seat to Labour's Stephen Twigg.
The result became known as the 'Portillo moment', entering the British political lexicon as shorthand for the shock defeat of a senior political figure.
Second career
Although he subsequently returned to Parliament, becoming Shadow Chancellor and contesting the Conservative leadership in 2001, Portillo eventually left politics in 2005 to embark on an extraordinary second career.
He has since become one of Britain's best-loved broadcasters, travelling thousands of miles across the UK and around the world presenting his hugely popular railway documentaries.
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "Michael Portillo has lived an extraordinary life, and this promises to be a breakfast not to be missed.
"Few people can claim to have worked in the North Sea energy industry, sat around the Cabinet table as Defence Secretary and experienced the highs and lows of British politics quite like Michael.
"At a time when energy security, defence and Britain's economic future are dominating the national conversation, we have an opportunity to hear from someone with real, first-hand experience of some of the biggest issues facing our country right now.
"And, of course, there's the remarkable story of how one of the most recognisable politicians of his generation reinvented himself as one of Britain's most popular television presenters. I'm sure there will be plenty of fascinating stories along the way."
A Breakfast with Michael Portillo takes place at P&J Live, Aberdeen, on Thursday, November 26, from 7.30am.
Book you tickets - or a table of 10 - here.