Here at The Placement Group we are proud to be sponsoring former Recruitment Consultant turned professional cricketer Jamie Porter, for yet another season. Jamie was a recruitment consultant on our Allied Health team and left The Placement Group back in 2014 after being offered his dream opportunity to play professional cricket for Essex County Cricket Club.

Jamie had a natural talent for recruiting but an even bigger talent for cricket and after impressing in his three seasons of professional cricket, the opening Essex pace bowler had his first call up to join the England Lions team for their tournament against South Africa in 2017.

After impressing in his debut, he then got the call to join the England Lions Australian tour, however unfortunately due to injury he was unable to go. He has spent the winter recovering from his stress fracture of the spine and training to strengthen his back up so he was able to attend the England Lions tour against the West Indies.

Jamie has recently arrived home from the tour having learned a lot and is ready to start the season with Essex, once again representing with JustPhysio on his bat.

Steve Porter, the Managing Director of The Placement Group and father of cricketer Jamie Porter says “We are all very proud of Jamie and his success, he showed the same dedication to recruitment as his cricket so it’s no surprise that he has taken his game onto a new level each year”.

Get to know a little more about Jamie…

How has your life changed from being a recruitment consultant to professional sportsman? Playing for Essex has changed my life in so many ways, I get to travel all over the country doing what I love. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being a professional sportsman also as a lot of young cricketers look up to you to set a good example.

What are your highlights in your new career so far? Playing for the England Lions and winning the Division One County Championship with Essex have to be the biggest highlights of my career.

What are your career goals? My overall goal is to play for England, that has always been my dream and what I am working towards. This season, my goal is to take as many wickets as I can for Essex and hopefully retain our title as the County Championship winners.

Are there any elements you miss about being a recruitment consultant? I would get the same buzz when I made a placement as a consultant as I get when I take wickets for Essex, it’s my competitive nature, I strive to be the best in anything I do. I miss the people and the atmosphere in the office, but I still go back to visit whenever I can.