Based in Edinburgh, Mr Baird has nearly 25 years’ experience working firstly for HMRC as a senior tax specialist and more recently for a specialist financial services consultancy, Fiscalys Consulting and then in industry with Atom Group where he advised businesses on indirect tax, strategic tax planning, tax operations, tax compliance and cross-border taxation policies.

In his new role as a customs and duty director for Azets Mr Baird will play a key role advising the firm’s growing client base on customs and duty tax issues that arise during cross-border trading.

Mr Baird said: “Given the increasingly complicated customs and duty tax regime it is vital that SMEs and corporates adopt a strategic approach to the management of their tax obligations.

“A strategic approach helps businesses achieve streamlined movement and storage of goods, minimise the risk of penalties and fines and can also help businesses realise considerable savings.

“Azets tax business has grown rapidly in the last few years and I am looking forward to helping more clients benefit from the firm’s expertise in this increasingly important area of taxation.”

Veronica Donnelly, partner and head of indirect tax, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Gordon to the Azets indirect tax team.

“He has considerable specialist knowledge and extensive experience of customs and duty taxation which will be of great value to our clients and will complement the services of our established VAT team on the delivery of a holistic service to the UK market.”