Trader’s Corner – James McCallum

October 3, 2023

James McCallum, Import Operations Manager, Seafast

What are your best and worst traits?

My hardworking nature, I hate leaving anything unfinished! However, this can be difficult within the industry due to the ever-evolving aspects of supply chain and logistics. From this I tend not to switch off, which I would consider my worst trait especially if you ask my wife.

What is the coolest thing you have ever done?

On a holiday to Cyprus, I unexpectedly arranged a mini 1-day excursion to Egypt and ended up being inside one the Pyramids of Giza! It sounds cool, but once you’ve climbed the hundreds of steps in a cramped-up tunnel, to enter an empty room… It’s not all that exciting!

How do you define success?
Supporting and contributing to the success of one of the UK’s largest privately owned logistics providers through the import team in Seafast. We at Seafast give opportunities to young / inexperienced staff into the company, with the right attitude. To see them grow and develop into specialist custom operatives is a great success for me on a personal level.

If you could only eat one food/dish for the rest of your life, which would it be?
A Christmas Dinner – Although I may regret this during a heatwave!

If you could ban one thing in the workplace, what would it be?

Excuses and blame! Some people are very quick to point the finger nowadays instead of taking accountability for a mistake. I would rather people admit to what’s happened, look to find a solution and work on being better! We often refer to being ‘above or below the line’ in the office.

If you could go back 10 years, what would you do differently?

10 Years ago, I was 23 – If I was to go back then I would have travelled more and experienced more of the world. I have been lucky enough to visit some wonderful places, but there’s a lot of the world that’s still untouched for me.

What is your favourite part of working in this industry?

The industry’s fast-paced nature keeps everyone on their toes. There’s never a dull day and there’s always something to do! With the position I am in currently, I have been lucky enough to be involved with external bodies, offering advice and support on new import processes.

What do you most like to do after a long and stressful day?

Once both children are in bed, I like to sit and watch a good series / film with my wife, and if she’s not about to head upstairs and game on the play station!

If you were given the chance to change careers, what would you like to do?

Being a keen sportsman, I would have loved to have been a footballer – but that would only be fruitful if I were successful at it! The other interest I had when I was younger was to be an archaeologist – I was always fascinated by the Egyptians and interested in being that person to unearth something that hadn’t been touched for thousands of years!

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