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Evelyn Partners has appointed Jennifer Tragner as a partner in its research and development (R&D) tax team in the Bristol office.
Jennifer has almost 20 years’ experience advising clients on R&D tax incentives and joins from ForrestBrown where she was a director and head of policy.
Jennifer was a key spokesperson at the House of Lords Finance Bill sub-committee’s inquiry on reforms to R&D tax relief and played a pivotal role in Quinn (London) Limited’s success at the FTT in relation to subsidised expenditure.
Partner Justin Arnesen said: ‘Jennifer is highly regarded in the R&D space with close to 20 years of specialism. The south west is regarded as an extremely innovative region and Jennifer brings a wealth of experience that will add significant value to not only clients in this region but nationally.’
Jennifer added: ‘We have seen a period of prolonged change and uncertainty for R&D tax policy; the focus now will be on helping our clients to navigate the new landscape to support their growth and success.
'I am excited to be joining a fantastic team of R&D tax specialists, to help continue their success and strengthen the firm’s presence in the south west, home to a thriving community of innovative businesses across key R&D sectors.’
RSM UK has appointed Caroline Le Jeune as private client tax partner, based in London. Formerly head of private client tax at Blick Rothenberg, she has spent over 25 years’ working in personal, inheritance and trust tax, and specialises in advising families with complex financial affairs.
Caroline said: ‘I am looking forward to supporting the growth of the high-net-worth team at RSM and advising a range of exciting and challenging clients to ensure they get the most tax efficient and practical solutions for their families.’
Gary Heynes, head of private client services, said: ‘Caroline is a highly regarded private client specialist and brings a huge wealth of knowledge and experience to RSM. I’m very much looking forward to her joining the team as we continue to grow our offering to individuals and families with the most complex financial affairs.’
Gateley Legal has hired Adam West as a new partner in its private client team in Manchester. He joins from Knights.
In his new role, Adam will lead a diverse portfolio of private client engagements, providing strategic guidance to entrepreneurs, non-domiciled individuals, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, shareholders and family enterprises.
Sean Williams, partner and head of the private client team, said: ‘We’re excited to welcome Adam. His achievements to date speak for themselves and I’m sure that he’ll be able to exceed these working alongside our team of private client experts, in order to provide the best results for our clients.’
Adam added: ‘In the coming months much of my focus will be on guiding clients through the raft of changes on the horizon in the private client space, including the likelihood of changes to the non-dom regime, inheritance tax and capital gains tax in the upcoming Budget.’
International law firm, Trowers & Hamlins, has bolstered its growing private wealth team with the addition of partner Simon Gibb.
Simon specialises in advising UK and international individuals, families, trustees and family offices on issues related to UK tax, HMRC audits, UK and international disclosure regimes and family governance matters. He joins from McDermott, Will and Emery, where he led the firm’s private client offering in London.
Head of private wealth Richard Jordan said: ‘Simon’s experience and expertise in the international family office space is significant. He is one of the leading tax technicians in the market and is a strong addition to our growing private wealth team.’
Wilson Wright has appointed Neil Lancaster as private client tax partner. His 20 years’ experience includes knowledge of non-domiciled legislation, offshore and onshore trusts, inheritance tax planning, succession planning and structuring.
Craig Nicholson, head of tax, said: ‘Neil is an excellent addition to our team. His knowledge and dedication to his clients is outstanding and he shares the same ethos that our entire tax team has when it comes to servicing our clients and their unique tax planning requirements.’
Meg Hillier has been elected unopposed for the chair of the House of Commons’ Treasury Committee. She takes up her position when the remaining members of the committee have been appointed.
Wilson Sonsini has recruited Emma Game as a partner.
Previously with Slaughter and May, her practice encompasses all tax matters relevant to corporate and financing transactions. She also handles standalone tax advisory work, such as group reorganisations and taxation of incentive arrangements for individuals, as well as tax enquiries and disputes. In addition, she led her former firm’s pensions tax practice.
London office managing partner Daniel Glazer said: ‘Emma’s solution-focused approach and strong reputation have earned her high regard from both clients and colleagues, making her an ideal fit for our tax practice.’
Claritas Tax has announced the recruitment of four new graduate tax associates. They are Florence Ho, Joss Chippendale, Jairaj Kooner and Zohaib Munawar.
All four will be based in Birmingham but will work closely with Claritas Tax’s teams in Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and Nottingham. Under Claritas’ ‘rotational seat programme’, their roles will be working initially in Claritas’ share schemes and valuations, innovations, corporate and M&A departments while being supported to study for the ICAEW and CIOT qualifications.
Armstrong Watson has welcomed 28 apprentices this year, with 21 embarking on the AAT and four starting the ATT. The firm is also recruiting for two payroll apprentices.
The new students, who start in September at regional offices across the north of England and Scotland, will work in the accounting and tax compliance teams and will receive hands-on experience alongside classroom study as they work towards their qualifications.
They then have the opportunity to progress on to the ACA graduate scheme to become a chartered accountant. This year a total of 37 graduates joined the firm or progress on to the ACA programme.
Knights hires private client lawyer
Private client lawyer Tom Evans has joined Knights’ growing team in Birmingham as partner.
An experienced estate and tax planning solicitor with expertise in inheritance and capital gains tax planning, Tom assists families on a broad range of private wealth matters, including the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, lifetime settlements and the administration of trusts and estates.
Tom said: ‘I am delighted to join Knights at this time of huge growth, as well as have the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of the private wealth practice in the Birmingham office and beyond. I am very much looking forward to getting stuck in with my colleagues and providing the best possible service to our clients.’
Jess Neyt, client services director, said: ‘Tom is a great addition, he brings a huge amount of talent, a strong reputation, energy and enthusiasm to our Birmingham team.’
Partner appointed at Weightmans
Michele Wightman has joined the national private wealth team at Weightmans as partner.
Formerly of Wilkin Chapman, where she was joint head of the tax, trusts and estates team, Michele has worked in the private wealth and elderly client fields since qualifying in 1994.
Emma Collins, partner and individuals lead, said: ‘Michele’s ability to work collaboratively with the likes of our family, international and owner managed business teams enhances the firm’s capability to create bespoke solutions to our clients’ estate planning issues.’
Michele, who will be based in the firm’s Leeds office, said: ‘I am looking forward to using my expertise and tapping into my network to grow and expand the firm’s national private wealth offering further.’
AMS Group’s tax division launches indirect tax team
As part of its suite of advisory services for the mid-market, AMS Group has added a specialist indirect tax and VAT team to support its tax advisory division. Tajinder Bhalla, Stephen Fennell and Charmaine Richards have been recruited to lead the team and develop its full-service portfolio.
AMS Group is now able to offer support for clients on VAT advisory and customs duty. There is also a focus on property taxes for property developers and clients will be able to receive advice on VAT for property developments and purchases, stamp duty land tax and land remediation – as well as direct taxes. The team will also draw on its collective expertise to support the existing independent tax team for all HMRC disputes and investigations relating to indirect taxes and expert witness reporting.
Tajinder, a qualified tax barrister, joins as tax partner in its Canary Wharf office. A former partner at HW Fisher, he specialises in SDLT and property, advising on transactions for commercial and residential properties using all available statutory reliefs.
Stephen joins as VAT partner in the Leeds office after a career with HMRC customs at ports and airports, group indirect tax manager at Morrisons and Safeway and 15 years running his own tax and VAT consultancy. He has advised clients in a number of sectors including housing associations and international law.
Charmaine joins as VAT manager in the Leeds office after 15 years with HMRC, working within the large business team and the fraud investigation service. Her expertise spans several sectors including pharmaceutical, automotive, retail, energy, healthcare, construction, and land and property.
Ebrahim Sidat, chief executive officer, said: ‘We have discussed adding indirect taxes to our core tax advisory for a number of months. The team has got off to a great start and are warmly welcomed by the wider team and clients - which has validated the strategy in bringing this intellectual capital in-house.’
