Name: Thomas Whichelo.
Job title: Trainee Accountant.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am very much into my sports, in particular ‘proper rugby’ (union) and tennis. I have certainly caught some flak from my fellow Hull colleagues as to my opinions on Rugby League and I do find myself outnumbered up in the ‘north’.
Growing up in the Cotswolds, I suppose I could probably be described as a bit of a country bumpkin and love spending as much time outdoors in my wellies, getting as muddy as possible.
I met my girlfriend at the age of 11 at school but we only started dating in our 20s (apparently it was something about maturity levels). To her recollection her first memory of me was me throwing some clay in her face during an art class when the teacher had left the room. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t aiming for her but I’m sure that’s a very natural way of flirting for an 11-year-old and it’s paid off in the long run!
Describe your job to a five-year-old
I make fancy pictures using numbers.
What do you like most about your job?
Power BI (data visualisation software) of course! I think most of my colleagues are sick of me mentioning how cool it is, but it is very cool…
How did you get here?
I always knew I wanted to have a career in finance and after leaving school I went to university to study economics. After a year, I decided university wasn’t right for me, so I got a job at the Watches of Switzerland group due to my fascination with watches and their complications. After a year or so there I started doing some work experience for the Ideal Standard financial planning and analysis team and certainly had a shock at the fast-paced nature of the work! I then moved up to Hull and into the UK finance team where I have progressed from the accounts receivable team to the commercial finance team where I currently reside.
What motivates you?
Thirst for knowledge!
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film
“60% of the time, it works every time” Anchor-man.
Your favourite app?
YouTube – It feeds into my obsession for quite obscure knowledge (as I’m sure anyone sitting near me will attest to!)
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
I believed a transaction to be from one of our export customers due to the transaction reference having the word ‘Sol’ in. Turns out it was not related to Costa del Sol it was our solicitors…