Armstrong Watson appoints new head of tax

Accountants, business and financial advisers Armstrong Watson LLP have announced the appointment of Jim Meakin to the role of tax partner and head of tax across the firm’s 15 offices.

Mr Meakin has joined Armstrong Watson from international accounting firm RSM, where he held a number of senior positions including managing partner of their Newcastle Office, head of their London tax practice and until recently he was RSM’s national head of tax.

Armstrong Watson paid tribute to Mr Meakin’s extensive experience across a wide range of sectors, in growing and developing businesses and in helping to solve client problems with a practical commercial style.

The firm said he will play a key part in helping to meet Armstrong Watson’s ambitions to develop a stronger presence in the North East, where the firm has already established itself but wishes to create a local presence as a leading firm in its chosen markets.

Jim’s appointment continues Armstrong Watson’s investment in their tax practice and is one of a number of senior appointments in recent months, including that of Alex Nicholson who joined the firm from PwC in August as VAT director.

Paul Dickson, Armstrong Watson CEO and managing partner, added: “We are very pleased to have Jim join us in the role of Head of Tax. It is essential we have focused and ambitious leadership to grow both our tax capabilities and the firm as a whole. Jim’s skills, experience and proactive approach complement the Armstrong Watson culture and will greatly benefit the businesses and clients we advise and support. Our ambition is to grow organically and to be the go to firm for family owned businesses in the North and having a strong tax practice is a vital corner stone to achieving this.”

“Jim joins us at an exciting time as we continue our commitment to strengthen and develop our position as the largest Independent Accountancy, Business and Financial Advisers in the North and he will particularly help us to expand our presence across the wider region.”

Mr Meakin said: “I am delighted to join Armstrong Watson as Head of Tax at a time when the firm is demonstrating real ambition to establish itself in the North of England, the Borders and Central Scotland as the leading adviser to owner managed businesses – these are the economic powerhouses of our region. I really believe the firm is uniquely well placed to meet their needs because of our ability to offer real depth of capability through an experienced team who have a genuine commitment to the success of our clients and of course that of our own business.

“As part of this, I look forward to developing our tax capability even further into one which our clients value as a source of proactive solutions to commercial problems and which adds real business value.”