Clive Owen appoints Hydeam Sulton as VAT lead

Clive Owen LLP has appointed Hydeam Sulton to head its VAT and indirect tax offering.

The northern accountancy firm, which has offices in Darlington, York, Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, said that Sulton will help clients effectively manage and maximise their VAT position.

The firm said he also hopes to expand its VAT and indirect tax services, leading to increased job opportunities down the line.

Sultan’s 25-year career includes several years at HMRC, where he was latterly head of tax professionalism, as well as in practice at large independent firms and the Big Four, and in industry leading VAT across the EU for a FTSE 100 company.

He joins Clive Owen from a national independent firm, where he was a tax partner and head of VAT and indirect tax, along with its lead office partner in Newcastle.

Speaking on his appointment, Sulton said: “I am delighted to join Clive Owen at such an exciting time of sustained, organic growth.

“The firm’s values really resonate with my own experience and approach to client service, particularly its focus on people. It has a strong emphasis on delivering a personal, client-focused service that you don’t always see in larger practices, while also offering a depth and quality that not all independent firms can match.

Sulton added: “VAT is a notoriously complex area of tax, and I believe there is significant value I can bring to new and existing clients across a range of sectors. My aim is to build a strong, specialist team around me over time to support this growth.”

Simon Hook, joint managing partner at Clive Owen, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hydeam to the firm, whose impressive experience and expertise will build on our existing range of services and provide clients with an additional, niche offering.

“Hydeam’s appointment is a significant addition to the partnership and further strengthens our position as one of the North’s leading independent accountancy practices.”