I am lucky to have a number of roles across the firm which keep me busy, including advising on remuneration strategies ahead of the changes in tax rates that took effect from 6 April 2026. I have also been carrying out Temporary Repatriation Facility calculations and supporting clients with tax planning as they moved into or out of UK residency.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the start of your career?
Play to your strengths, be authentic and don’t try to become someone else. There is enough space for everyone to have a seat at the table as we all bring something different to it. As with many people, I have had imposter syndrome, partly because I didn’t see people like me coming up in the profession. With time I realized that I can easily relate to clients and that my interpersonal skills were key for me to build and develop my portfolio. Believe in yourself, be open to opportunities and change. The tax world is forever changing and there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’.
In Private Clients, being able to understand and resonate with clients and intermediaries is often imperative to strengthening and building good working relationships. Treat clients and give the service you would expect yourself. People buy into people. Take time to listen and learn from experiences.
If you could make one change to a tax law or practice, what would it be?
There are many things I wish I could change, such as removing the tapering away of the personal allowance, but one that is well overdue for change is updating the inheritance tax rules, including increasing the nil rate band and perhaps lowering the 40% IHT charge. Over the years, I have seen more clients bring forward IHT planning to try to minimise the large tax bills that their families may end up paying. Now, with pensions coming under the IHT net from April 2027, it seems that very little can be passed on to the next generation without the need to pay IHT. There is little incentive to save for retirement or to pass on wealth to the next generation after passing.
What’s topical in your world?
There had been a wave of changes in the private client space over the past couple of years, with a significant number taking effect from 6 April 2026 as a key planning deadline. These included increases in dividend tax rates, the implementation of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, changes to BPR/APR affecting IHT, and Business Asset Disposal Relief rising to 18%. The concentration of measures coming into force on a single date had meant more consideration to tax planning, often bringing transactions forward to benefit from lower tax rates.
The removal of the non-dom regime has led to a large number of clients relocating overseas, and we have carried out tax planning to minimize their UK tax and ensure they do not inadvertently stay/become UK resident. However, as a result of global events in recent weeks, clients are now reviewing their options again, with some planning a return to the UK, so consideration needs to be taken on the temporary non-residence rules and any other UK tax implications.
Finally, you might not know this about me but…
I always wanted to be a dancer. I have learnt Kathak (Indian classical dancing), street dancing, country dancing, ballet and Bollywood. Music and dance are my passion and my happy place. If there is good music, you will likely find me bopping away.
I am lucky to have a number of roles across the firm which keep me busy, including advising on remuneration strategies ahead of the changes in tax rates that took effect from 6 April 2026. I have also been carrying out Temporary Repatriation Facility calculations and supporting clients with tax planning as they moved into or out of UK residency.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the start of your career?
Play to your strengths, be authentic and don’t try to become someone else. There is enough space for everyone to have a seat at the table as we all bring something different to it. As with many people, I have had imposter syndrome, partly because I didn’t see people like me coming up in the profession. With time I realized that I can easily relate to clients and that my interpersonal skills were key for me to build and develop my portfolio. Believe in yourself, be open to opportunities and change. The tax world is forever changing and there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’.
In Private Clients, being able to understand and resonate with clients and intermediaries is often imperative to strengthening and building good working relationships. Treat clients and give the service you would expect yourself. People buy into people. Take time to listen and learn from experiences.
If you could make one change to a tax law or practice, what would it be?
There are many things I wish I could change, such as removing the tapering away of the personal allowance, but one that is well overdue for change is updating the inheritance tax rules, including increasing the nil rate band and perhaps lowering the 40% IHT charge. Over the years, I have seen more clients bring forward IHT planning to try to minimise the large tax bills that their families may end up paying. Now, with pensions coming under the IHT net from April 2027, it seems that very little can be passed on to the next generation without the need to pay IHT. There is little incentive to save for retirement or to pass on wealth to the next generation after passing.
What’s topical in your world?
There had been a wave of changes in the private client space over the past couple of years, with a significant number taking effect from 6 April 2026 as a key planning deadline. These included increases in dividend tax rates, the implementation of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, changes to BPR/APR affecting IHT, and Business Asset Disposal Relief rising to 18%. The concentration of measures coming into force on a single date had meant more consideration to tax planning, often bringing transactions forward to benefit from lower tax rates.
The removal of the non-dom regime has led to a large number of clients relocating overseas, and we have carried out tax planning to minimize their UK tax and ensure they do not inadvertently stay/become UK resident. However, as a result of global events in recent weeks, clients are now reviewing their options again, with some planning a return to the UK, so consideration needs to be taken on the temporary non-residence rules and any other UK tax implications.
Finally, you might not know this about me but…
I always wanted to be a dancer. I have learnt Kathak (Indian classical dancing), street dancing, country dancing, ballet and Bollywood. Music and dance are my passion and my happy place. If there is good music, you will likely find me bopping away.
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