Aaron Thompson, Assistant Manager at BDO UK LLP, is passionate about equity, diversity, education, and youth. Former Kent Union President, Chair of the Board of Trustees and University Governor at the University of Kent (18/19), Aaron is a First Class Hons Graduate in Accounting and Finance, ACA Chartered Accountant, finalist in the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2022 and features in the EMpower Future Leaders Role Model List 2022. At BDO he is the Chair of the South East CEDAR Network, an employee voice representative on BDO’s ESG Board and a committee member of BDO’s Trustee Network. He loves supporting charitable causes pertaining to the homeless and seeks to add value wherever he goes.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted by World’s Leaders and Aaron Thompson:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
From a young age, I learned the importance of hard work. Whether it be to get the best grades, the best job, or even just for my own sense of fulfilment – working hard would eventually serve me well and I would reap the benefits. As such, throughout my life, in whatever sphere you find me in, I always work hard, do my best and deliver quality.
I also care for others, driven largely by my Christian faith. I feel most fulfilled when helping someone else to succeed, and I practice this through volunteering, being the Vice-Chair and Trustee of a charity, mentoring and supporting others to apply for and prepare for job interviews.
Having said all this, I love to socialise with my friends and experience what life has to offer—this could be in relaxed settings like simply going to the cinema, or more adrenaline-filled experiences like going on holiday and riding the fastest theme park rides.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company?
Like most, my early days involved me attending school, then college, and finally university. Throughout my education, I realised I was very good at maths. I also developed a passion for business and attempted to combine the two through pursuing studies in accountancy. Having gained a First Class Degree in Accounting and Finance with a year in industry at the University of Kent, UK, I am now an ACA Qualified Chartered Accountant.
However, I did more than just accounting. Increasingly, I am seeing that leaders are not just defined by their day job, they also have a personal passion outside of their profession. David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs, is a great example: he has a love for dance music, so much so that he is a DJ. Developing your personality and soft skills, as well as giving yourself time to do the things that make you happy, are also integral to professional success.
Since the age of 15, I have been a hip-hop dancer. I taught at a local club before temporarily opening up my own dance academy during my year in the industry while studying for my degree. I was also President of the Kent Dance Society in my final year of university. Dance has allowed me to express myself in a different way and has improved my confidence. Before starting my professional career, I also spent two years at my university’s Students’ Union, being elected Vice-President (Activities) and then the Union President and Chair of the Board of Trustees. This enabled me to work closely with students on issues that mattered to them, lobby the university, speak on national stages, and advance the causes that mattered to me, especially diversity and inclusion.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
I think there are many keys to success, and different things will work for different people in different scenarios. These are the keys that have worked for me:
Know your “why”. Life is filled with opportunities, and whilst they may be good and look attractive, if they do not align with you personally, you won’t put your full self into them. Also, a seemingly good opportunity could take your time away from an amazing opportunity that was just around the corner – so pick wisely!
Be yourself. This is something I believe in passionately and is strongly encouraged by my firm, BDO UK. People often feel pressured to act or conduct an activity in a certain way. Whilst I understand there may be “non-negotiables” in some professional circumstances, inject your own personality into everything you do. Don’t become a robot. Be you.
Be a thermostat, not a thermometer! You are on the earth for a reason and a purpose, but we are not here forever. So, use your time wisely. Make a difference, make an impact. Don’t be a thermometer adapting to the temperature already set. Be a thermostat. Changing and setting the temperature in the environments you find yourself in.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
I believe a good corporate culture starts with its people. The company needs to have the right people who want to genuinely develop a positive and empowering culture. Companies need to develop an attitude and willingness to listen to their employees – whether it be about how the company runs, or about the lives of their employees and how this impacts their working lives. Once you understand the problems and experiences, you can then work to improve them. Finally, people need to feel valued – that they are seen, their hard work matters and is appreciated. This helps foster a culture of quality and excellence.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
The first mobile phones were invented in the 1970s. Before this, the telephone was wired. These mobile phones rely on someone having an idea, and this is where innovation comes from. It relies on individual creativity, dreams, and heroics. But the mobile phone wasn’t created by one individual. It requires a team. As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I do think organisations rely on inspiring individuals to push them into new directions or to point out when things need to change, but, with a culture of collaboration and teamwork, these ideas are then developed as part of a team. Therefore, there is a balance that must be struck, which organisations generally get right – as long as the individual heroics are recognised.
What are your responsibilities as an Assistant Manager of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
As an Assistant Manager at BDO UK, I often take on the role of Auditor in Charge. Under the guidance and supervision of the manager and responsible individual, I plan the full audit and conduct testing on riskier areas; act as the main point of contact for the audited entity; manage a team of junior trainees; and ensure the audit runs smoothly. It is not always easy, but I enjoy working with not-for-profit entities because I feel like I’m helping them help society.
What are the most important attributes of successful leaders?
Successful leaders need to inspire their team to do their best and be the best, and this includes prioritising their wellbeing. Leaders need to have a vision. Without a vision, there is no goal, and this can lead to a lack of personal discipline, focus, and cohesion. Finally, leaders need to be willing to make the tough calls, popular or unpopular, for the greater good.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Aspire to be the leader you wish you had. It is important to remember what motivates you, what matters to you, and to ensure you know your own set of values. Once in a leadership position, it’s easy to be swept up into the corporate institution, but it’s important not to lose yourself and remain true to who you are. The best leaders are those that serve; those who think they are too big to serve are too small to lead. You must be willing to get your hands dirty when needed, to help others and always be willing to learn.
