Grant Thornton appoints three tax partners

Grant Thornton has welcomed Jo-Anne Allen and Heather Smallwood as global mobility tax partners, and Ian Rowland as innovation tax partner. 

The appointments are the latest in the firm’s “record” investment in senior talent across its wider tax team, which saw the promotion and hiring of seven partners and 19 directors in the last six months. 

Based in London and the South, Allen has a legal background and over 20 years of experience in global mobility. She specialises in supporting mid-market companies outside of the FTSE 100, whose size often means they do not have a mature in-house global mobility function or the internal resources to manage the complexities of a global network. 

Meanwhile, Smallwood is a chartered tax adviser with a career in global mobility and international employment tax and social security, spanning more than 25 years. She is based in Aberdeen where she specialises in the energy sector. 

Finally, Rowland has been promoted to partner in the firm’s national innovation tax team, where he will be applying his significant experience gained from over 20 years of working with businesses undertaking R&D across all sectors. 

In his new role, Rowland will continue to support a range of clients of all sizes, with a particular focus on fast growing, dynamic businesses across the mid-market.    

Hazel Platt, head of tax at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “We have ambitious growth plans across our tax business and investing in new partners and directors is a core pillar of how we are maximising the market opportunity that exists for us to provide tax services. 

“I am always delighted to support the progression of our internal talent to achieve their personal goals and am delighted that both Heather and Ian have been promoted to partner. Alongside this, gaining the endorsement of experienced external candidates when they choose to join us is equally exciting, and I am confident Jo-Anne is an excellent addition to our partner team.”  

She added: “I had a clear priority around investing in senior talent when I took on the role of head of tax and am very proud of what we have achieved so far – it’s certainly exciting times.”