Steve Gilbody

Name: Steve Gilbody
Job: Policy and technical adviser
Employer: HM Revenue & Customs
Qualifications: BSc biology, University of Hull, 1997

I started working for a large international bank but in an area with limited opportunities to progress. After two years I applied for a number of graduate entry training courses and joined the Inland Revenue (as it was known in 2000) on their inspector training programme. This lasted four years and combined formal training with examinations, and work to consolidate what I had learned.

I began working in income tax carrying out tax enquiries but progressed to corporation tax where I had responsibility for very large international companies who were often household names. There was a high degree of autonomy, which gave me a real sense of being valued and I worked on a variety of different things including analysing financial records and company accounts, presenting cases involving disputes before an independent tribunal (set up much like a court), negotiating with a company how their actions fit within the remit of tax legislation and enforcing that legislation when necessary.

Moving on

When I finished the course I applied for a post in head office and I am now a policy and technical adviser in the insurance team, specialising in life insurance policy holder taxation. I provide technical advice to colleagues on their enquiry cases, advising members of the public, insurance companies and I’ve even advised ministers. I have already been to parliament, worked on taxation policy and assisted with the last Finance Bill.

Achieving the right balance

I love that I have a two-year-old daughter (and another baby on the way) and just about every day I can make it home at a reasonable hour. The work I do is intellectually challenging, varied and interesting, and my colleagues are all really friendly. I’ve learned over the years not to get frustrated when I don’t know everything – most subjects are very wide reaching and take time to become familiar with. A career is also more of a marathon than a sprint. The training course I started seemed a very long one but I have never regretted it.