How did you get started in the industry?

I started working at HMRC’s Glasgow VAT office in 2006. I received offers for generic finance graduate roles in London, but my heart wasn’t in them or moving I suppose.

Someone asked if I’d considered HMRC and I was intrigued about VAT as I enjoyed things like law and economics. I moved to practice in 2008 when I realised I could add more value supporting people from the other side of the fence.

Biggest professional achievement?

Building many ongoing long-term relationships with clients and other advisors like accountants, solicitors and even other VAT specialists that span different firms I’ve worked at.

It feels good to be a trusted advisor that people follow around and want to work with, and beyond that ask for general advice, or tips on who they should speak with about non-VAT issues. It’s rewarding knowing people value and trust you.

Best advice you received?

Invest time in understanding the bigger picture. This has helped build relationships and add real value to clients. It also minimises the risk of missing the point or providing sub-par advice. Quite often with VAT, a client asks a question, and you go back to them with three of your own!

What do you like most about your job?

Getting to know people and their businesses. Contrary to the stereotype, VAT is never boring, and normally the facts or bizarre rules can make something that appeared straightforward very interesting.

I also love presenting, which many of my counterparts seem to despise. It often gives me an opportunity to indulge on the pub quiz classic: “Is a Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit?” 

And the least?

I wouldn’t miss some of the admin. But things like timesheets and managing regulatory requirements are important and go with the territory. Though I could do without them on Friday afternoons.

What permanent changes have been made post-COVID?

I find people are generally happier to jump on to a Teams call to discuss stuff. Which helps as it keeps things moving and progressing. I love seeing people in person, but if there’s WiFi, we can usually be as effective and it’s often more efficient.

Which newsletters/bulletins do you receive?

SFN plus a few VAT technical updates from professional bodies and commercial providers. It’s great to read SFN between jobs to find out the latest and refresh before starting the next thing on the to-do list.

How would you change Scottish Financial News?

I don’t think there can be enough features on sharing local success stories. It’s powerful and motivating to read how well local businesses are doing and evolving.  

Do you read a daily newspaper?

No. During the week I tend to read VAT cases and technical updates plus things like SFN. At the weekend I’ll often buy a newspaper, but I’ve no allegiance.

I got an amazing deal to subscribe to a newspaper’s digital package for £1 a month for four months. I called to cancel after 3 months when I remembered I had subscribed. Inbetween, I kept buying physical newspapers at the weekend. Turns out I’m pretty old school!

Which social media sites do you use and find most useful?

LinkedIn is fantastic for finding out the latest on businesses and people in my network. I probably still go on X (it’s still Twitter to me) most days, but not as often as I used to. It’s probably where I get most of general news stories from.

I don’t think I’m willing to expand into TikTok, though never say never. Facebook is good to see what family and friends are up to.

Hobbies and interests?

Ice hockey – watching, not participating. I’ve been a season ticket holder at Glasgow Clan for about ten years. I love going to the theatre for plays, musicals not so much. Buying books but reading very few of them – I’m working on that. Travel and cooking are fun as well.

Favourite holiday destination?

It depends on the time of day you ask me. I love Majorca for a sunshine break, New York for a gallivant, and I like exploring Europe with short city breaks. Honourable mentions to Vienna, Budapest, and of course Rome, a long-time favourite. I’m going on an Alaskan cruise this year, that should be interesting!

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