Kirsty Wilson has joined Armstrong Watson as a tax director following a 25-year career in both in-house and practice roles.
She trained with KPMG and went on to hold positions with US-owned insurance group Gallagher, French Duncan and, latterly, AIM-listed software development company Idox plc, where she was head of tax for the global group.
In her new role, Kirsty will lead the corporate tax team in Glasgow, overseeing project management of both corporate tax compliance and advisory work. She will be key in expanding the firm’s corporate tax offering in Scotland and nationally.
Kirsty said: ‘I am delighted to join the firm and be part of a strong national tax team. I want to use my experience of working in-house to help guide and support clients on a day-to-day basis and to become a trusted business adviser helping them to achieve their long-term goals.’
Becky Bowness, senior tax partner, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Kirsty to the team. Kirsty has extensive experience and is a key, strategic hire for the business to support our continued growth in Scotland and improve our client service experience. Kirsty has a unique experience and skillset coupling both expert technical knowledge with an understanding of what it is like to be a client working with advisers.’
Menzies LLP has recruited two new partners. Nick Garside joins as VAT partner in the London office, while Steve Hoare returns to the firm as a business tax partner in the Leatherhead office.
Nick was formerly at Grant Thornton, where he led the firm’s VAT team. With over 20 years' experience advising on VAT, he has worked across all industries, with expertise in financial services, travel and leisure, real estate, and cross-border supply chains. As partner and head of VAT, Nick will focus on growing the firm’s VAT team and delivering high-quality VAT advice to clients.
Nick said: ‘VAT is becoming increasingly complex, and businesses need clear, strategic guidance to manage risk and seize opportunities. My focus will be on helping clients navigate evolving regulations with confidence while making informed decisions that support their commercial objectives.’
Steve has more than 25 years’ experience in tax advisory, specialising in advising owner-managed businesses. His approach focuses on ensuring clients navigate tax complexities efficiently while achieving their commercial and personal objectives.
Steve said: ‘The tax landscape is ever-changing, and I’m looking forward to working closely with clients to help them navigate challenges and plan for the future with confidence. It’s also incredibly rewarding to mentor and develop the next generation of advisers, ensuring we continue to provide the highest level of expertise and service.’
Richard Godmon, partner and head of tax, said: ‘Our continued growth is driven by attracting and retaining the best talent, and I am delighted to welcome both Nick and Steve to the partnership.’
Forvis Mazars has appointed Steve Abbott as office managing partner (OMP) for its Manchester office. He takes over from Dave Hilton, who steps into a new role leading the national corporate finance team.
As OMP, Steve will be responsible for developing the firm’s business strategy in Manchester and expanding its presence in the region. A key focus of this will be increasing collaboration across service lines, ensuring businesses and individuals in the region can access everything they need under one roof. He will also oversee the local team which now consists of 370 professionals and includes 18 partners.
Steve joined the firm as a tax partner in 2020. He has over 25 years’ experience, focusing on advising entrepreneurial privately owned businesses and smaller listed companies. He specialises in corporate tax, advising on transactions, reorganisations, compliance, innovation reliefs and corporate debt.
Steve said: ‘I’m delighted to be appointed office managing partner for our Manchester office and to be entrusted with building on the growth we have enjoyed over recent years.’
Dave said: ‘Steve has been a crucial member of our team for the last five years and I’m delighted to pass him the baton as Manchester OMP. His knowledge of the local market, alongside decades of experience advising clients in the region, means he is incredibly well placed to lead our growing team, and support our clients’ evolving needs.’
South West-based accountancy firm Albert Goodman has welcomed two new directors Abi Kingsbury and Mark Thompson to its Taunton headquarters.
Abi joins the farms and estates team while Mark joins the business services team.
Abi said: ‘This year is certainly a busy time to be joining the farms and estates team, as we look to help our clients navigate unprecedented levels of uncertainty.’
Mark said: ‘I’m excited to join the Business Services team at this stage of my career, and I look forward to contributing to the future success of the organisation.’
Managing partner Iain McVicar said: ‘I’m pleased to welcome Abi and Mark to the Taunton team. Both were stand-out candidates, who will bring a huge amount of experience, insights and fresh thinking to the farms and estates and business services teams.’
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) is delighted to announce that Helen Miller has been appointed as its next director. Helen will succeed current IFS director Paul Johnson, who will leave in July 2025.
Helen joined the the institute in 2007. She has been head of the tax team since 2016 and deputy director since 2019. She has more than 17 years’ experience analysing UK fiscal policy and providing trusted advice to policymakers.
Imran Rasul, research director, said: ‘I am delighted that Helen will be stepping into the role of IFS director. She brings many years of experience on studying issues around the tax system, firm productivity, and entrepreneurship – key components of UK economic policy that the country needs to get right in the years ahead. Helen will bring her own ideas and energy to our research agenda, ensuring it remains of the highest quality and translates into engagement with policy makers. She is committed to take further our long-standing work on building capacity among a new generation of research economists focused on scrutinising and designing public policy in the UK and overseas.’
Helen said: ‘It is a huge privilege and a delight to be handed the IFS director baton. The IFS is full of inspirational people who are working to ensure that policymakers, and those who hold them accountable, better understand the effects of different economic policy choices. This mission – and the need for truly independent and rigorous analysis – is as important as ever. I am excited to lead the IFS through the next phase of its enormously valuable and impactful work.’
Bishop Fleming has appointed Graham Charlton as tax partner in its Cheltenham office. He will head the private equity tax division.
Previously tax director at PwC, Graham has more than 19 years’ experience advising private equity-backed businesses throughout their lifecycle.
Partner and head of corporate tax, Chris Walklett, welcomed Graham to the team, adding: ‘Graham was the perfect candidate to strengthen our tax team presence and expand the range of specialist services we can offer to our private clients across the country. We’re really looking forward to working with him.’
Evelyn Partners has appointed Kelly Klein as partner in its valuations and modelling practice.
Kelly has 19 years’ experience providing all types of valuation services including financial, reporting, tax and commercial valuations, to clients across the UK and internationally.
She joins from Interpath, where she was managing director, leading on commercial and strategic valuations.
Olivier Pecon, head of valuation and modelling, said: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Kelly to our professional services business. Kelly’s experience across a vast area of the valuation industry will be invaluable, as we continue to expand the depth and breadth of services we offer to our growing client base in the UK and internationally.'
Accountancy firm Gravita has appointed corporate tax specialist Nikhil Oza. Nikhil brings more than 20 years' experience working with the tech and science industry, supporting early-stage startups and well-established companies to secure research and development tax relief. He has also advised multinational companies, specialising in corporate restructuring, offshore jurisdictions and cross-border transactions.
He also has expertise in the seed enterprise investment scheme, enterprise investment scheme, patent box regime and business asset disposal relief, as well as video games tax relief.
Chief executive officer Caroline Plumb said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Nikhil to the team. His expertise in tax advisory, particularly in the tech sector, will bring great value to many of our clients. In our technology-driven world, Nikhil’s knowledge of complex tax structures within the innovation ecosystem is invaluable in helping businesses navigate financial challenges and maximise growth opportunities.’
Nikhil said: ‘Having worked with several members of the team in previous roles, stepping into this environment already feels familiar and welcoming.’
Lawrence Stephens has appointed Leigh Sayliss as director to head a new tax practice for the firm. He will primarily be working alongside the corporate and commercial team, as well as other related departments such as real estate and private wealth to provide integrated tax advice.
Leigh joins from Memery Crystal where he was a partner. He has expertise in property, corporate and employment taxes and advises on the tax aspects of a range of property and corporate transactions, including incentive arrangements for key employees.
He is also a chartered engineer and uses his previous experience in industry to ensure that his advice is not only technically accurate but also is of practical help.
Leigh said: ‘I look forward to working alongside friends old and new, heading this new practice for the firm to providing cross-departmental expertise to clients.’
Managing partner Steven Bernstein said: ‘With Leigh’s appointment, we are also excited to launch our brand-new tax offering which will allow us to provide our clients with truly integrated legal advice, while building on our existing suite of services.’
