“I’m the oldest worker in Britain – I’m 98 and doing my job keeps me young”

Britain’s oldest worker has no plans to retire aged 98 – saying his job “keeps me young”. Ivor Ward, from Rothley in Leicestershire, still works four days a week as a production agent at healthcare company EM Pharma.

He started working at the firm when he was 80, after a career that included stints in the military and being a professional poker player. He retired when he was 79, but only managed the day before to get “so bored” that he went looking for work and joined EM Pharma near his home.

Now he enjoys drinking with his younger colleagues and playing poker with friends on weekends. Ivor said: “I had a retirement day and it drove me crazy so I went back to work almost straight away.

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“Back in the day, when you left school, you had to get a job. There was no bribe or benefit.

“A lot of older people who are just retired, have a hobby. For singles, it is the biggest killer.

“I know so many people who end up staying at home all day. Then it’s deadly because you end up waking up at 10 in the morning and staying in your pajamas all day.

“Now, on weekends, we have parties with the younger ones. We drink, dance and create mayhem.

“I’m playing poker and I have a test. It’s like being at home with my family when I’m working.

“The day passes like lightning. It generally keeps your mind busy and active.

“Now I do four days a week. I make longer days in the four days. I work from 7am to 3pm Monday to Thursday.

“It’s great, in a way coming to work is like coming home. I know everyone here. I know the families, there is always someone to talk to.

“The only alternative is to stay, there is no one during the day. It’s like purgatory.

“It’s a pleasure to go to work, otherwise I’d just be at home sitting on my own doing nothing, getting old fast. Here, we laugh.”

Ivor, who has four great-great-grandchildren, has worked around the clock since joining the army as a Royal Engineer in 1943. He rose to the rank of lance corporal before leaving the army at the end of the war and getting a job as an engineer civil.

He moved to another firm as an operations manager before trying his hand as a professional poker player. Ivor added: “I worked almost non-stop until I was 79.

“Then the company I was COO for was sold and that was it. I managed one day of retirement before I had to start work again.”

The sprightly pensioner, who celebrated his 98th birthday last month, has lived alone for more than 30 years since his wife Joyce died aged 63. He says he plans to keep working until he’s 100, when he plans to take a gap year traveling the world. playing poker.

He said: “I am happy here. In two years, when I turn 100, I will have a gap year. Then I’ll be back.

“I’ve been around the world gambling, so I’d like to visit the popular casinos again. End up skinned or end up rich. Either way is fine with me.”

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