One minute with... Susan Ball

How did you end up in tax?

I blame it on my dad. He kept telling me that the civil service was a great career – he did more than 40 years! I sat the civil service entrance exams and out of my three preferred options was given the Inland Revenue. After eight years I jumped ship and have continued to enjoy tax work on the other side of the fence.

Who in tax do you most admire?

I’ve had the privilege of working with some very astute tax and legal brains and still do. There are a few who are very memorable to me – they are the reason why I stuck with tax and enjoy it. But right now I’d have to say Margaret Hodge. She is asking some good questions and has raised people’s awareness of tax issues. I can’t think of another time in my...