Accountancy and advisory practice MHA has strengthened its Scottish operations with a series of senior hires and internal promotions. In Edinburgh, the company has recruited Stephen Thom as corporate tax partner and Joshua Williams as personal client tax director. It has also elevated Alan Downie and Allan Smith to partner roles. Thom joins the partnership after a period running his own tax consultancy business. He began his professional career with BDO in London before moving back to Scotland to take ...

Core Viewpoint - S&W has appointed James Wright as a partner in its business tax practice in Birmingham, enhancing its capabilities in advising on tax issues for UK and cross-border businesses [1][3]. Group 1: Appointment and Experience - James Wright brings extensive experience in corporate structuring, international taxation, transactional support, and ongoing compliance [1]. - Throughout his career, Wright has focused on helping businesses navigate significant tax challenges and respond to shifting tax rules and regulatory demands [2][3]. Group 2: Company Growth and Culture - Wright expressed enthusiasm about joining S&W, highlighting the firm's growth, ambition, and collaborative culture as key factors in his decision [2]. - Mark Webb, head of S&W Business Tax, emphasized that Wright's technical expertise and experience with complex clients will strengthen the firm's support for businesses in the UK and internationally [3]. Group 3: Recent Developments - S&W has also recently appointed Alexandra Bray as a partner in its business tax team in Bristol, indicating a broader investment in the senior team across its offices [4].

Core Insights - Dains, a UK-based accountancy and advisory services provider, is expanding into the North West market through the acquisition of Hurst, a peer company headquartered in Stockport Exchange [1][3] - Hurst has a team of 120 professionals and offers services in audit, tax advisory, corporate finance, and digital transformation [1] - The acquisition marks Dains' first move into the North West and its sixth deal since receiving private equity investment from IK Partners, aiming to build a leading SME advisory business in the UK and Ireland [3] Company Details - Hurst will retain its existing leadership team, including managing partner Tim Potter, who emphasized the shared commitment to helping businesses grow and the alignment of values between the two firms [2][4] - The acquisition enhances Dains' capabilities in audit, advisory, digital transformation, and outsourced finance, creating opportunities for further growth through shared expertise and collaboration [4] Strategic Goals - Dains aims to leverage the resources, investment, and expertise of the Dains Group to support Hurst's development while enhancing its own service offerings [2][3] - The deal is part of Dains' strategy to strengthen its UK footprint and pursue growth in the advisory sector, with a focus on quality, innovation, and long-term client relationships [4][5]

Core Viewpoint - Johnston Carmichael has appointed Stephen Oates as head of payroll to enhance its specialist tax leadership and assist employers with upcoming regulatory changes in payroll and employment tax reporting [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment and Expertise - Stephen Oates brings over 20 years of experience in tax strategy and has been with Johnston Carmichael since August 2022, becoming a partner in 2025 [2]. - His strategic outlook and expertise in payroll, employer services, and entrepreneurial tax incentives are expected to be crucial for employers navigating the evolving tax landscape [2]. Group 2: Structural Changes and Responsibilities - Oates will oversee the integration of payroll with Entrepreneurial Taxes and Employer Services teams under the Specialist Taxes structure, creating a unified oversight for related services [3]. - This structural change aligns with the upcoming payroll benefits in kind (PBIK) rules set to take effect in April 2027, which will require new reporting and tax collection methods [3][4]. Group 3: Implications of New Regulations - The new PBIK regime mandates that employers report and collect income tax on non-cash benefits, such as company cars and private medical insurance, through real-time payroll submissions, replacing the current end-of-year P11D process [4]. - Oates emphasized the importance of a reliable and accurate payroll service for maintaining employee trust and satisfaction amidst these changes [4][5].