What is your role within RG?
I am a Manager in the tax team. I split my time between the personal and business tax teams, meaning that I assist a variety of different clients, ranging from entrepreneurial owner managed businesses and high-net worth individuals to individuals with UK residency considerations to family businesses.
Tell me about your career to date..
I sort of fell into a tax role. I originally applied to join Leathers LLP as an accounts trainee over 10 years ago now. As their accounts position had already been filled, I was invited to join their tax team, where I trained, completing my AAT, ATT and CTA qualifications. Having become a chartered tax adviser, I wanted to join a bigger firm to gain more experience dealing with complex tax matters. I moved down to Harrogate to join Saffery LLP where I spent the past 3 years, before returning to my roots in the Northeast, joining Ryecroft Glenton in July 2024.
What makes RG different?
Since joining the firm, the main thing that has stood out to me is the people. Everybody has made me feel extremely welcome, from the support staff to partners. Particularly in the tax team, especially given the time of the year, the support available is invaluable. Whether that be team members volunteering to pick up tax returns on each other’s portfolio or bouncing ideas and discussing complicated tax queries with one another, there is a lot of support from top to bottom and across different service lines.
Despite being an independent firm, the firm has a lot of experience and expertise. We are often working with colleagues in other departments on advisory projects to ensure that we are providing the well-rounded, high-quality service that the client deserves.
The firm values its staff and looks to make the office an enjoyable place to come and work. In recent months, we have had various local food outlets visit the office, we have had an RG quiz night and several fun day/volunteering opportunities. I was lucky enough to recently volunteer at the Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter during working hours, which was a great experience.
What does your current role involve?
I have a portfolio of clients where I oversee their annual compliance i.e. the completion of their annual tax returns. Due to the complexity of my client base, I am often having detailed discussions with clients in relation to their ongoing tax affairs; looking to support them with their needs and ensuring that we are reducing and mitigating tax liabilities where possible.
With splitting my time between personal and business tax, my day-to-day role is extremely varied. I get the opportunity to support the partners on various advisory projects. Recent interesting projects include; reviewing the availability of business property relief for inheritance tax purposes for shares held in a company owning a 120 acre estate, assisting a family business with their commercial property and looking at different structures on how it can be held tax-efficiently, advising a client on their UK residency position and the UK tax implications on moving overseas, and working with a client in respect of a HMRC enquiry into a sale of cryptocurrency business which generated proceeds of c£68m.
Whilst I do enjoy working with clients, I also value being a manager in the office. I enjoy mentoring and supporting the junior members of staff as they gather more experience and flourish within the firm.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
With spending the majority of my time at work behind a desk, I like to combat that with staying fit and active outside of work. I enjoy going to the gym and I am a keen runner. I often like to go for a run before/after work along the quayside, which I think is particularly important to help with mental as much as physical wellbeing, especially as we are in the thick of tax return season!
On a weekend, I enjoy camping trips over in the lakes. I like to explore the landscape with the dogs, who I think enjoy it just as much as I do, jumping around in any water that they can find.
And finally, leave us with one interesting fact about yourself?
Being a chartered tax adviser, finding something interesting about myself can be a difficult one. However, sticking with the running theme above, I have completed two full marathons. One in Manchester and the other in York, where our new office is situated. Both of which were gruelling but amazing experiences. I am hopefully going to complete a third this year, aiming to break the 3-hour mark!