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Johnston Carmichael has announced the appointment of Alan Dean as its new private client tax director.
Dean joins the firm with 20 years of private client tax experience and specialises in complex tax planning for individuals, business owners, property owners, trusts and estates.
A Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) member, he also advises on a range of tax matters including residence, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, employment taxes, business tax issues, property taxes and share remuneration.
He is also experienced in supporting family businesses and ensuring they have the most appropriate structures for both trading and succession.
He also has a deep knowledge of the tax issues surrounding high value property ownership, investment and succession planning.
Additionally, Dean sits on the ICAS Private Client committee and has held roles in the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) in the past.
In his new role, he will support clients through a dynamic and evolving tax landscape.
Dean is among a trio of new private client tax hires at Johnston Carmichael, with Gillian Pringle and David Smith joining as senior tax managers in Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively.
He said: “Over the course of my career, I’ve watched Johnston Carmichael grow to become a highly successful firm with a great client base – and excitingly, it has the potential to grow even further.
“The firm’s reputation for doing the right thing for its people, clients and communities was also a major attraction and I look forward to working with various teams across the country. I’ve already been around many of the firm’s offices and I’ve had a great time meeting new people.”
He added: “There have been some huge tax changes over the last 12-18 months, especially for UK residents with non-domicile status and around inheritance tax, which saw further important reforms announced at the end of 2025.
“As the rules continue to evolve, it is vital that clients get advice on the best route for them to take, and even those who already have plans in place should make sure they are reviewing them regularly.”
Alex Docherty, tax partner and head of private client tax at the firm, concluded: “Alan joins our team at a crucial time, and we welcome the expertise he has in supporting both individuals and businesses. It’s never been more important for our clients to monitor and manage their tax affairs, and this is reflected in growing demand for our services across the UK.”
