A candid guide to real non-executive portfolio success!

Ah, the glittering path to becoming a non-executive director – it's a journey filled with glamour, prestige, and, if you listen to some, a detour through the world of trustees and public sector roles. For those who've been told that starting out as a trustee or in a public sector role is the yellow brick road to non-executive director stardom, prepare to have your bubbles burst.

First, let's address this adorable myth. Picking up trustee or public sector roles is akin to training for a marathon by exclusively swimming. Sure, you're doing something, but are you really on the right track? This route is the scenic detour you take when you have no map, no compass, and frankly, no clue.

For those serious about etching their name in the annals of the non-executive world, this is not the terrain to traverse. Unless, of course, your ultimate dream is to carve out a niche in the public sector bodies. And who doesn't get butterflies thinking about that?

Spoiler alert: most don't.

The real "secret sauce", the crème de la crème of advice, is to rub shoulders with your peers already gallivanting through the boardrooms. These are the noble souls who hold the keys to the kingdom – a kingdom filled with opportunities, not just well-meaning volunteer positions!

And let's not forget the power brokers – accountants, bankers, lawyers, and the most powerful of all - private equity, and venture capital funds. These are the individuals who can catapult your career from the realm of hopeful aspirations to the boardrooms where your expertise is not just valued but needed. Networking isn't just a buzzword here; it's your sword and shield in the battleground of corporate boardrooms.

Now, for the pièce de résistance – the idea that becoming a trustee is your golden ticket. Please, if you believe this, you might also believe that rain is just the sky clapping for you.

A recruiter glancing at your CV will hardly be impressed by your stint as a trustee or an NHS non-exec. They are more likely to cast you into the abyss of typecasting, where you're seen as 'good for charity, but not much else.'

For those on the journey to becoming a non-executive director, remember this: the path of trustees and public sector roles is littered with good intentions but leads you away from the commercial boardrooms where the real game is played. Stick to networking with your peers and ingratiating yourself with professional advisors.

Happy hunting!