Joanna Eades

Current Employer/Organisation Name

SPCA

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I left Exeter with a Law degree and continued to pursue law in London (Freshfields) where I qualified into the tax department and worked for 5 years. I left to take a sabbatical as a Project Manager in Namibia with Raleigh International, before returning to tax at Herbert Smith, British Oxygen Company and then PepsiCo. I worked at PepsiCo for nearly 20 years in both Europe and Hong Kong, where I became the Vice President of Tax for Asia, Middle East and North Africa with responsibility for all tax issues from Australia/New Zealand across to India and Pakistan, from Mongolia to Singapore. I “retired” in 2020 and completed a wine diploma. I now have a portfolio career spending time on the Board of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, teaching WSET wine courses and have just completed the Financial Times Non-Executive Director Diploma.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I love the detail and precision of tax law, together with the drafting. At PepsiCo, I was lucky enough to travel extensively and I enjoyed meeting people, negotiating, explaining complicated tax issues and finding solutions. I now enjoy supporting SPCA charity and teaching wine and a lot of sport!

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I loved the legal arguments and actually studying law, even when you practise law there isn’t really the opportunity to read cases in the same depth.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I loved the small town and the wonderful countryside.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Good degree and lovely part of the world.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Legal analysis.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

I enjoyed my degree, but it is possible to pursue a career in law after another degree, so do a subject that really interests you and consider what type of law really interests you.

What are your plans for the future?

To pursue a portfolio career of wine, supporting animal charities and acquiring an NED role.