The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
A STEADY HAND IN FAST PACED TIMES
Running a business is rarely smooth sailing; but over the last couple of years there has been an unprecedented raft of changes and challenges, putting added pressure on business leaders and their advisory teams. For business leaders up and down the country, words like ‘uncertainty’, ‘change’, ‘regulation’, ‘red tape’ and ‘Brexit’ are front of mind. But whilst events can often be hard to predict and prevent, what’s important is how we respond. Leading business advisory and chartered accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael has been making a few changes in its Perth office to make sure its local team are in the best position to help their clients navigate some of the challenges ahead which include HMRC’s plans to ‘Make Tax Digital’ and the introduction of a new General Data Protection Regulation which comes into force in May 2018. Steven Menzies, who has 25 years’ experience with the firm has taken on the role of Office Managing Partner from Euan McLeod. Steven will be responsible for leading the strategy for the growing, dynamic team in Perth and works with a range of clients across the region providing audit and assurance, business advisory and strategy, corporate accounting and tax services across a variety of sectors. Euan will continue to work with his existing clients and offer specialist tax advice to others. The firm has also strengthened its leadership team in Perth through the promotion of Ryan Diplexcito to partner earlier this year. Ryan, who works in the firm’s Business Advisory team, has a wealth of experience in advising a range of clients across the Perthshire and Tayside area, including limited companies, sole traders and partnerships – particularly in the construction and hospitality and tourism sectors. Senga Prior has also recently joined the firm to strengthen its tax offering. Senga who takes on the role of Tax Manager was previously with Bell & Company for 17 years, where she specialised in advising owner managed businesses and private clients, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector. Senga is the Scottish representative volunteer member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) Technical Steering Group, and is responsible for contributing to ATT responses to HMRC consultations including Scottish Taxpayer Status, Making Tax Digital and the abolition of Class 2 National Insurance Contributions. Senga was also a major contributor to the ATT response to the consultation on the Extension of Farmers Averaging. Steven Menzies commented: “We are delighted to have such an experienced and diverse team working closely with our clients to really understand their businesses and the opportunities and challenges they face; and we are well-placed to support local businesses as they pursue new avenues for growth.”