Accountancy firm Chiene + Tait has opened a new Inverness office to support its base of SMEs and individuals in the Scottish Highlands.

The operation will be headed by Jackie Fraser, Director of Private Client and Business Tax, who joins the firm after a decade-long spell in a senior role within Ernst & Young’s Inverness office.

Jackie will be joined by another director appointment early in the new year. The full-service office will be supported by the wider firm, including C+T’s highly experienced private client team and its Scottish Accountancy Award-winning entrepreneurial tax team, both of which already work with many clients in the area.

The Inverness office marks a new phase in C+T’s expansion. It will grow its existing client base through the firm’s expertise in the sectors of property, agriculture, landed estates, technology, life sciences, food & drink, professional practices and tourism.

Commenting on her new role, Jackie Fraser said: “Establishing a base in Inverness is an exciting development both for me and the firm.

“Along with the firm’s wealth of experience in helping businesses, organisations and individuals within many of the key sectors which dominate the local economy, we will also benefit clients through our strong links within the Highlands community. C+T’s hands-on approach and its personalised service offering will be further supported by the wider talent and expertise which exists across the entire firm.”

C+T’s Managing Partner, Carol Flockhart, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jackie to the team as we embark on this latest phase of expansion. We see great potential for growth in the Highlands, which we are ideally placed to support through our expertise in many of the key sectors which drive its economy. The new Inverness office will give us a stronger presence in the local market and enable us to expand the successful model which has benefitted so many C+T clients over our firm’s long and proud history.”