Charlie Hamilton - Strategy and Planning Officer

Name: Charlie Hamilton
Job: Strategy and Planning Officer
Team: Strategy and Planning
Joined OFT: 2005

I couldn't believe my luck when I was offered a temporary job at the OFT working on a major market study of internet shopping. I'd just finished a Masters in Human Rights, and was looking for temporary work to tide me over, expecting some kind of clerical assignment. Instead, I got the chance to use my research and analytical skills, and ability to get to grips with the law, in a fascinating bit of work. Six months later, I became a permanent staff member, and got a promotion, while continuing to be involved in the market study.

Most of my time was spent scoping the study, carrying out and commissioning research, and then helping write our report and recommendations. After the report was released, I worked on the implementation of some of the key recommendations, developing enforcement practices with our partners in Trading Standards, raising awareness among businesses of their duties when selling online, and advising shoppers on how to protect themselves. 

I wanted to get to grips with the OFT's wider activities, and have recently moved to the Strategy and Planning team, where I'm involved in business planning. I do spend quite a bit of time looking intently at Excel spreadsheets, but it's actually a fascinating role as our job is to ensure the OFT is making best use of the resources and legal instruments at our disposal. We work closely with the Chief Executive and the executive and prioritisation committees.

Clearly, the sheer interest value of the work is one of the main draws of working here, and it's rewarding to think that I'm making a positive impact on consumer welfare. I also like being able to manage my own time. Although I don't always take advantage of the chance to work flexibly, the fact that it's on offer is a strong signal that we're trusted.

If you have aspirations to do something of value and like working as part of a team, and as long as you're not entirely motivated by having an enormous salary, then it's definitely worth considering a career at the OFT.

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