Jonathan Hobbs

Jonathan is a Data Scientist at HM Revenue & Customs, where he develops data tools used by hundreds of tax compliance specialists and analyses company taxes to identify non-compliance. Since graduating from Kent in 2023, he has advanced within the Government Operational Research Service (GORS), applying mathematical and statistical techniques to complex tax systems. 

 
Tell us about your career path since graduation.

In the winter before my graduation I successfully applied to join the Government Operational Research Service (GORS), which is a profession in the UK Civil Service. Analysts in GORS work across the different Government departments using a range of mathematical, statistical and management tools and techniques. I enjoyed the variety of mathematics I was able to study and in GORS I have opportunities to use a surprising mix, including statistics, graph theory, game theory, algebra and geometry. I have worked in HM Revenue and Customs since joining GORS. Initially I joined a team analysing the Income Tax population as part of a transformation programme. After about 8 months I moved to the Data Science team with a promotion and now provide analysis on company taxes to identify and build cases against those companies who are not paying the tax they should be.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Primarily, I am the lead developer of a data tool used by around 600 tax compliance specialists so, generally, my job is either developing the tool or liaising with new and existing users. I have several development initiatives on the go and a lot of freedom to determine these for myself. They could be implementing mathematical ideas in a new feature, improving user experience or engineering different data sources. These will always involve programming, typically in SAS or R. I have regular, but not constant, meetings and presentations with various stakeholders.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

I was asked to shadow people working on a particular high-impact project to see if I could identify any improvements. Analysts are rarely the loudest people in a room and I spent the time listening quietly. I had the impression that no one expected much to come from me, but I had an idea for a solution I could build. I thought it through, quickly prepared a proof of concept and presented it to the others involved, and my idea became the principal way of working on this project.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

I use specific elements from my degree occasionally, but am constantly exercising the mathematical instinct it developed. Tax is a complex system with a lot of fairly abstract definitions and processes but I can juggle these quite well in the same way that I would think about mathematical structures.

I also spent two summers at Kent doing research. The first was part of the Summer Vacation Research Competition, in which I worked with members of the Economics department doing work which is very similar to what I do now - even with some of the same data and tools. This certainly helped me to get the job in the first place.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Think problems through rigorously, rather than simply following a procedure that has been set out in a textbook or generative AI. This will help you to develop an instinct for solving analytical problems in the right way, and it will be obvious to employers from the way you talk.

Also, if you are looking to join the Civil Service, look up and use the Success Profiles for anything you write in your applications. There is a rigid but very transparent process for recruitment.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

I mentioned summer research above, which was particularly formative. Unfortunately the pandemic stymied most other extracurricular activities while I was studying.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

I understand this might not be typical, but I really enjoyed my final year dissertation. I had some great discussions with my supervisor, Bas, and it felt like a satisfying culmination of several years of hard work.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

No

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Occasionally, especially via LinkedIn, though not as much as I would like.

What are your future ambitions?

My previous manager suggested I should aim to become the First Permanent Secretary (CEO) of HMRC but I am happy to take career progression one step at a time. I would also consider returning to study at some point.