Timothy John Salmon

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Retired

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

I joined the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen on leaving Exeter, trained as a chartered accountant and made partner 11 years later. I transitioned from audit partner to CFO for the UK and Ireland practices and left in 2001 to work as a finance director outside the profession. I have since worked as FD, CFO and Chief Operating Officer in a number of businesses, mostly law firms and worked on some of the largest and most complicated law firm mergers. I have worked as a consultant to law and other businesses part time for a number of years but now, mostly, retired.

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

Despite a reputation for being boring I always liked the idea of being able to interpret financial information for the benefit of others. I’d always been good with numbers but as my career progressed it became much more about people management.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

Accountancy Society, Railway Society.

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

Nothing particularly, I enjoyed the computing parts.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

The environment, the campus, the location generally.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I loved the place and the scenery, the relaxed beautiful campus.

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

Numeracy, people management skills, breadth of knowledge and experience. My interest in civil engineering made the work I did advising construction companies (Channel Tunnel, Second Severn crossing, various other major projects) rewarding and fascinating.

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

Do a degree that really fits your interests rather than what you want to do with your career/life. Whilst my degree helped me secure my career, I always wish I’d done something (like civil engineering) which is where my passion lay.

What are your plans for the future?

Relax and enjoy retirement!