Tim Smith
Although not necessarily the norm here at IOP Publishing, I do happen to have a scientific background; after studying physics at Leeds, I completed a PhD in condensed matter physics at Loughborough in 1999 (if you're really interested, my particular project involved using spin polarised neutron scattering techniques to investigate the mechanism behind high temperature superconductivity in the cuprate family of compounds!)
After my PhD I was keen to broaden my perspective of physics beyond the narrow area I'd been concentrating on, while still maintaining my links to academic research. Journals publishing seemed the perfect avenue and, perhaps ironically, I would say I'm more up-to-date and aware of the latest developments across physics now than at any stage during my academic studies.
I guess my research background helped once I joined IOP Publishing because as well as subject expertise, I brought an awareness of the peer-review process from an author's perspective. The other advantage of my background is familiarity with the demands and expectations researchers have of a journal. That said, since I joined I've learned a great deal: I'm involved in decision making and implementation of everything from my journal's editorial direction/policy and marketing strategies, to the production of promotional material design and development of journal online systems!
All in all, it's been quite a learning curve - I certainly feel like I've made real connections in research communities that I had very little previous knowledge of, and my awareness (and hopefully knowledge) of the whole physics publishing environment has increased.