A King's graduate's career - Tony Ramsey

This week Tony Ramsey tells us about how his career has developed, illustrating the value of looking outside the well known companies for a rewarding job.

What did you do at King's?

I read Classics from 1972 - 1975 and enjoyed it so much I didn't want to leave. So I didn't! I stayed on to read Theology, taking the BD in 1977. Alas, I couldn't find a way to do a third degree, so then I had to look for paid employment instead.

Where did you look for a job?

I have always been interested in process and organisation and, while at King's, was attracted to university administration. I applied for every post that was going, but they all wanted someone with experience. (Question: how do you acquire 'previous experience' if no-one will give you a job?) Then I noticed the Church Commissioners (where I had done a couple of summer vac. jobs) advertising. I applied, thinking that might give me the necessary experience to move into educational administration.

Who are the Church Commissioners?

They are based in Westminster, just down the road from King's, and have a statutory responsibility to manage the Church of England's historic assets, with a capital value of £3.9bn, spread between commercial, residential and agricultural properties and Stock Exchange investments. They also have a range of other duties relating to the administration of the Church of England.

What happened there?

I joined as a general administrator and liked it so much I decided to stay. In my early years, I covered a wide variety of tasks: researching companies to invest in; selling and buying vicarages; altering parish boundaries; negotiating changes to the financial support we give to different areas. In more recent years, I have specialised in payroll, and especially taxation.

So what do you do now?

I jointly manage the clergy payroll, which has a customer base of 18,000, an annual turnover of £250m and a staff of 12. My particular emphases include negotiations with the Inland Revenue, implementing new legislation, presentations to trainee clergy and recruiting new staff, as well as the more obvious task of ensuring everyone actually gets paid correctly and on time.

Surely a Classics degree is irrelevant to all this?

On the contrary, studying Classics teaches you to be logical, to be accurate, to be clear and to be patient. I couldn't have survived without those skills.

Do you have to be "religious" to work there?

No. We are not a 'holy huddle'; more like the Civil Service.

Do any other King's graduates work there?

At the last count there were seven: three from Theology and one each from Law, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Aeronautical Engineering.

What is the most surprising thing you have done?

Perhaps having to appear as a prosecution witness at the Old Bailey in the trial of a clergyman (sadly, also a King's graduate) for fraud. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

Are there any openings suitable for today's students?

Vacancies occur all the time and are always advertised on line at www.archbishopofcanterbury.org. Anyone who would like to look round or chat informally can contact me at tony.ramsey@c-of-e.org.uk. But be warned: the Church Commissioners are a charity and, although job satisfaction is high, the material rewards are not!
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Tony Ramsey, June 2004