Esme Bell has been promoted to the role of tax manager whilst Alex Duncan has taken on the role of senior tax manager.

Ms Duncan, who joined Hall Morrice in October 2023, has 17 years of experience dealing with client needs covering the likes of income tax, capital gains tax, corporate tax and inheritance tax. A fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), he is currently dealing with most aspects of UK tax.

Ms Bell also joined the company in October 2023, and works between Elgin and Aberdeen, having started her career in tax as a revenue officer with HMRC in 1990. She has worked in private practice since 2008, and her current role involves the management of a team of three as well as heading up the firm’s introduction of Making Tax Digital.

Hall Morrice is 50% complete in dealing with over 1,000 non-corporate tax returns this year and is also busy helping a growing client base navigate changes including inheritance tax planning and the recent budget. With a bigger than ever 12-strong tax team, the recent promotions of Ms Bell and Ms Duncan are seen as important in further bolstering in-house advisory capabilities.

Ms Bell said: “This promotion shows me that my own, and the whole tax team’s efforts, are acknowledged and appreciated. We have a very diverse team which has gelled together to make it work for partners and clients, and it’s a team I am proud to be a part of.”

Ms Duncan added: “Promotion for me means recognition of a lot of hard work and effort and the chance to help to grow and raise the profile of the tax team at Hall Morrice because the team we currently have is a great one.”

Commenting on the recent promotions, Hall Morrice partner Chris Colville said: “Our tax team is busier than ever, and we have brought in extra people during the past year to grow our service in line with client demand.

“Ensuring good career progression opportunities for the people we already have is an important part of ensuring we harness the knowledge, expertise and strength of the right people for mutual success.”