How did you end up in tax?
I fell into tax a little by accident on qualifying as a solicitor with Burges Salmon in September 1993. The recruitment partner noticed an aptitude for tax and I’ve kept at it ever since.
What advice would you give to someone new to the profession?
Do not be afraid to admit ‘I don’t know’; then go away and look it up before going back to the client. Never assume or guess – it is too expensive if you get it wrong. Persevere with tax; although it can be dispiriting when your contemporaries are doing deals with little supervision and you are still running things past your supervisor it is worth it in the end.
If you could make one change to tax law or practice what would it be?
Change the assumption amongst prospective clients that only accountants give...
