Leading South Yorkshire accountancy practice Kingswood Allotts has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of experienced tax specialist Luke James.
The move is part of the firm’s future growth plans and in his new role, Luke will head the company’s specialist tax and compliance division where he will be responsible for overseeing the growth and development of the firm’s specialist department as well as delivering a comprehensive range of business and financial management services to private clients and owner-manged businesses across the UK.
Luke joins Kingswood Allotts having previously held a senior management position at a well-known Sheffield-based accountancy practice, where he led and managed a team of accountants and tax advisers, as well as contributing to the growth and development of the business.
During his career, Luke has developed a particular interest in owner managed businesses, and he regularly acts in an advisory role, helping businesses to understand how government policy when it comes to taxation, will impact upon their work and the steps they need to take ahead of planned changes to the tax system.
Luke is one of just a few individuals based within the region to have successfully qualified as both a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. Throughout his career, Luke has developed a particular interest in advising businesses on complex taxation matters including helping businesses to harness tax incentives such as R&D and Patent Box, companies forming and restructuring their group, demergers, Implementing EMI share schemes for retaining senior management, HMRC clearance applications, in addition to overseeing the compliance process to help businesses to comply with their statutory responsibilities.
Luke also advises on non-corporate tax matters which often include tax advice on transactions such as exiting from a business, unlocking tax reliefs on property acquisitions, construction and refurbishment, VAT advice, and mitigating inheritance tax through estate planning.
Luke said: “Kingswood Allotts is a well-known and well-regarded accountancy practice that has been serving businesses and individuals across South Yorkshire for nearly a century. I am excited to be joining the business at this time and looking forward to contributing towards the company’s future growth plans.
With many businesses facing increasingly complex and challenging rules, the need to access specialist expertise has never been greater, and one of the things that has struck me about Kingswood Allotts is that it is a business that not only looks at the challenges its clients are currently facing, but also looks ahead and helps them to prepare for the future by combining practical support alongside strategic advice. “
Tim Baum-Dixon, chief executive, said: “Luke is one of the few people based in the region to have spent time in his career working in both tax and compliance, as well as general accountancy. This combination, coupled with the many achievements he has enjoyed during his career, makes him a valuable addition to the Kingswood Allotts team.
Tax is an important area for every business, and many have faced unprecedented change when it comes to fulfilling their legal obligations. With future plans to overhaul more areas of the tax system set to bring about additional complexity, in his new role, Luke will help businesses to not only understand their responsibilities, but drawing on his wealth of knowledge and expertise, he will help more businesses to plan ahead.”
Kingswood Allotts was formed in 2022 following the acquisition of Allotts by the Kingswood LLP. With offices in Doncaster and Sheffield, the business employs 45 people, and working alongside its parent company, Kingswood LLP, the firm provides a comprehensive range of financial support aimed at helping businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals to manage their financial affairs.
