Sarah-Jane Macdonald

BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Economics

What made you choose to study at Heriot-Watt?
Having visited a few universities for open days, Heriot-Watt appealed to me the most as it had the perfect balance between having the resources and gravitas of a large university, alongside having the culture and feel of a small tight-knit campus. 

Why were you thinking about a BSc in Mathematics with Economics in particular?
I wanted to be lawyer from a young age, but as a teenager about to go to university, I was keen to broaden my knowledge first, before going down that career-path.  Heriot-Watt's mathematics and business schools were very well respected and offered a number of courses that I felt would be invaluable to my future, whether that was to continue on to law or not, as I knew it would open a lot of doors for the future.

What's your favourite / most memorable memory of your time as a Heriot-Watt student?
My graduation was definitely a very memorable day for me.  Although it was bittersweet as I was leaving the comfort of the Heriot-Watt lecture rooms for an unknown future, I loved that our graduation was held on campus and that my family were able to attend and be a part of it.  The Heriot-Watt staff were also incredibly accommodating, allowing me to have multiple family members along and assisting with accessibility requirements, to ensure it was a very memorable day.

How would you summarise your time studying at Heriot-Watt University?
It was very much a bridge between high school and my onward career.  Heriot Watt had such supportive staff, especially in the school of mathematics, that helped me flourish and prepared me for my onward studies.  I also met a lot of amazing people out with my course through the student's union and clubs on offer.

Please provide a brief summary of your career, including your current role?
After graduating from Heriot-Watt I went on to study law as I'd intended, which involved a shortened 2-year course followed by a post graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. I started working in law ten years ago (starting as a trainee) with a highly regarded firm in Private Client.  Since then, I have continued to work in this area and I am now a Legal Director with Gillespie Macandrew LLP. I specialise in dealing with complex trusts and estates together with various tax advice for clients. Some days this will involve negotiating with the revenue on business tax reliefs in the millions, other days I may find myself mediating with beneficiaries who disagree after a death. No two days are the same and it's incredibly varied and rewarding work. I have also recently published a legal textbook “A Practical Guide to Legal Rights in Scotland”, which aims to assist practitioners with what rights certain parties have after a death and the tax implications.

How has your Heriot-Watt University education contributed to your success?
Having studied within the business school to gain an understanding of what drives businesses, and what impacts on our economy has been absolutely invaluable in the bigger picture advice I can offer to clients, particularly when it gets into budget season and various reports emerge with recommendations for tax changes.  A lot of what I do involves problem solving and working out methods to reduce tax for clients, which draws on many of the skills I picked up at Heriot-Watt.  Likewise, in dealing with complicated tax matters, having that maths background does help – although I have switched my scientific calculator for excel these days!

What advice do you have for current students?
Focus on the present and enjoy being a student.  You should also make the most of the long summer holidays whilst they last – you get just as much out of travelling and experiencing other cultures, or volunteering with charities and helping out, as you do from certain work experience.  It's not as easy to do this when working, and it's such an amazing experience.  I wish had done more when I had the time.

What is your lasting impression of Heriot-Watt University?
It was everything I wanted it to be when I chose the university, it had all the perks of being a renowned university for mathematics and economics with that expertise on offer, but it came with the support from staff and connections with students of a community.

What are your aspirations for the future?
For your career?
To continue to develop and learn, particularly from colleagues who have years of technical tax expertise, but also to continue to train the next generation of interns, trainees and junior solicitors who want to pursue this career too.

Can you tell us a little about your own background away from work, family, other interests etc.
Outside of work I am a big fan of the theatre whether it is amateur productions or West End musicals.  Whenever the Fringe rolls around I try to see as many different shows as I can, with a mix of dance, comedy, theatre, music, etc, and I'm renowned at work for “fringing” around my commitments, having done a record 76 shows in August 2019 pre-pandemic.  Let's see what 2022 brings!