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Mercer & Hole has recruited Jo Bateson as a partner in its private client practice. She returns to the firm after several years at KPMG where she was a partner and led its London head of family office and private client practice.
She has a passion for acting for female founders and leaders in family-owned and managed businesses, tax policy and philanthropy. Jo will remain a committee member of the UK Business Angel Association and a board member of Philanthropy Impact.
Jo said: ‘I am excited to return to the firm where I started my career. The firm has a great pool of talent across its offices, terrific clients and a diverse private client partner group. I am looking forward to supporting the continued growth of Mercer & Hole and developing further its expertise in acting for female founders and leaders in family offices and family-owned businesses as well as devoting time to my passions of tax policy and philanthropy.’
Managing partner Paul Maberly said: ‘We are thrilled by Jo’s decision to rejoin the firm. Her experience and expertise – and standing in the private wealth and family business communities – is second to none. She will be a huge asset to the firm and its clients, and we are all looking forward to working once again with her.’
Conor Brindley has joined Russell-Cooke as a corporate tax partner. He brings more than 20 years’ experience gained from working at a range of firms including magic circle and big four firms. This has allowed him to develop a broad practice with a wide range of experience across both corporate and real estate tax matters.
Acting for a range of clients from start-ups to listed companies, he advises on the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and reorganisations. He also assists developers, occupiers and investors on their UK property transactions.
Deputy senior partner and head of real estate Matt Garrod said: ‘Conor brings considerable depth of experience to the team, which will be invaluable as we grow our corporate tax capabilities. His breadth of expertise will bolster our ability to assist clients across the full spectrum of tax issues and throughout the transaction process.’
Squire Patton Boggs has appointed André Vermeulen as director to establish its tax strategy and benefits practice in Ireland.
Previously with Eversheds Sutherland, André advises large corporates and multinationals on a range of Irish corporate and transactional tax matters, particularly M&A, corporate reorganisations and inward investment into Ireland. He has led on multiple buy-side and vendor tax due diligence investigations, managed multi-jurisdictional engagements, provided acquisition structuring advice, as well as transactional warranty and indemnity tax reviews. In addition, he has experience in tax dispute resolution, transactional VAT and Irish stamp duty matters.
Dublin managing partner Dennis Agnew said: ‘We are delighted to have a tax practitioner of André’s calibre and experience join our team in Dublin. Now with André joining, clients will be able to access that additional resource of specialist Irish tax knowledge alongside our international structuring experience.’
Kreston Reeves has expanded its VAT and indirect tax team with the appointment of director Nick Dawe.
He joins from KPMG where he was a senior manager in its indirect tax team and brings expertise across all areas of VAT with specific interests in land and property businesses, financial services, retail, not-for-profit, energy and public sector institutions.
Nick also has particular strengths in advising international businesses, having spent eight years at HMRC as its G7 and G6 VAT specialist.
Rupert Moyle, partner and head of VAT and duty, said: ‘VAT continues to be complex with businesses needing the very best advice to help them navigate the pot holes. We are thrilled by Nick’s decision to join the firm and know our clients will benefit from his technical expertise and ability to provide advice in an accessible and practical way.’
Druces LLP has hired Mike Bell as partner in its private wealth team. He joins from Freeths LLP, and brings more than 21 years of experience in private wealth management and tax planning. In particular, he provides bespoke legal solutions for clients and advises non-domiciled individuals particularly from Asia and the Far East on structuring property acquisitions in the UK to optimise tax efficiency.
The firm has also appointed Jessica Moseley as associate. Formerly with Debenhams Ottaway, she has more than 11 years’ experience specialising in complex trust and estate planning.
Blick Rothenberg has appointed two new global mobility partners: David Livitt who will lead the team in the south, and James Wheeler who will lead the Midlands and north region.
The firm has also recruited Travis Lee as a partner in its China business group. He has 18 years’ experience at a big four firm in mainland China and Hong Kong.
Travis said: ‘I am thrilled to join the China business group and embark on this new journey with Winnie Cao, head of the China desk and the rest of the groups talented team.’
Alvarez & Marsal has appointed Ian Birch as a managing director in Birmingham where he will build out the practice’s technology M&A capability across Europe.
He previously spent 20 years at PwC, where he most recently served as the firm’s technology services M&A leader.
Accountancy firm Azets has taken on two apprentices Ellie Warwick and Kristina Pallaiova.
Neil Elsden, office managing partner, said: ‘Supporting our trainees through their accounting qualifications means we get to benefit from their enthusiasm while helping them develop into the business advisers of the future.’
Anthony Whittaker, client director and trust and estates specialist at bennettbrooks chartered accountants, has been appointed chair of the Cheshire branch of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners (STEP).
Anthony, who brings a wealth of experience and dedication in trust and estate planning will help shape the future of STEP Cheshire for its members.
In addition, Caroline Barrett, a technical director at the firm who specialises in estate tax, has been appointed to the STEP Cheshire committee as the student liaison officer. Her expertise and commitment to the industry will contribute to the branch’s success in supporting STEP’s student membership in the local area.
The Association of Accounting Technicians has announced tax expert Michael Steed as its new president, succeeding Kevin Bragg. Lucy Cohen is appointed vice-president.
haysmacintyre has unveiled its new name and new brand HaysMac.
Natasha Frangos, managing partner, said: ‘We’re excited to be unveiling our new name and new look. At its core HaysMac is a different kind of accountancy firm; a friendly face offering exceptional tax advice and financial know-how, with specialist sector expertise at every level.’
New corporate partner for Forvis Mazars
Forvis Mazars has appointed Emma Mason as a corporate tax partner in its London office.
Emma will be responsible for building a dedicated mid-market tax advisory team in London to meet the evolving needs of privately owned business clients. She will also support with training and development of the wider team.
Emma joins from RSM where she was a corporate tax director. She has experience working with privately owned businesses of all sizes, ranging from UK companies to multinational corporations, and across a range of industries, including real estate, construction, retail and manufacturing.
As well as providing tax compliance and advisory services to clients, Emma also has experience in overseeing corporate tax compliance delivery.
Chloe Ellis, head of tax advisory services, said: ‘We are delighted to be welcoming Emma into our team in London. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we look to grow our mid-market offering, and we have no doubt that under her guidance the team will go from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing the positive impact her presence will have on all of our colleagues, but particularly those at the earlier stages of their career who will benefit from her mentoring and support.’
Claritas Tax appoints head of transfer pricing
Claritas Tax has hired Tom Prescott as associate partner and head of transfer pricing, based in its Birmingham office.
Tom has more than 15 years’ experience in the provision of transfer pricing services both in the UK and internationally, advising a range of clients from start-ups through to FTSE 100 businesses.
Tom said: ‘This is a perfect challenge for me. This extension of our transfer pricing services will enhance our ability to service larger, international clients and strengthens our position as a credible alternative to the larger firms.’
Iain Wright, founding partner and head of the Birmingham office said: ‘Tom is an important addition to our national tax team and will be a crucial part of our growth strategy. We are excited to have him joining us, particularly given his deep specialism in transfer pricing which is in constant and growing demand across our client base.’
Emma Rawson appointed director of public policy at ATT
The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) has appointed Emma Rawson as their director of public policy. This is a new role for the ATT, which combines responsibility for both tax technical and professional standards work.
Emma served as a technical officer at the ATT for over seven years before transitioning into her current role. During her tenure, she led the association’s engagement with HMRC on important issues such as basis period reform and making tax digital. In recent years, she has written and presented extensively on these and other topics and is a regular contributor to Taxation.
Emma said: ‘I’m thrilled by this opportunity. The ATT has made incredible strides recently, including winning at the Taxation Awards in 2023 and surpassing 10,000 members this year. I’m excited to support the association and its members in navigating the challenges ahead and to help drive us towards even greater success.’
