Deloitte targets growing Scottish businesses with double tax appointment

Deloitte has strengthened its tax team, with two directors re-joining the firm as it ramps up its service offering for Scotland’s growth businesses and entrepreneurs.

With over 20 years specialising in tax, Jim Higgins joins from Coleby Associates, a bespoke firm advising the family offices of ultra high-net-worth individuals.

Mr Higgins previously spent five years at Deloitte between 2002 and 2007, and has re-joined the firm to bring his expertise and experience to the tax affairs of its most complex clients.

He said: “Deloitte has the best private client practice in the Scottish market, bar none; re-joining the firm was an easy decision to make. I have a strong interest in entrepreneurs and, with some of Scotland’s best among Deloitte’s clients, there will undoubtedly be great times ahead. We’re in a unique position to take businesses in the right direction and advise them through their full life cycle, enhancing their ability to build their entrepreneurial vision.”

Caroline Muir brings with her over 16 years in corporate tax and was previously deputy head of Tax at Johnston Carmichael.

She also spent more than eleven years at Deloitte, between 2002 and 2013.

Her focus is on tax strategy and risk management, particularly around overseas expansion – a key issue for companies looking for new markets to fuel their growth at a time of great change in the international tax landscape.

She said: “It’s exciting to return to Deloitte, with a real commitment to grow the Private Markets arm of the firm. A number of progressive and genuinely innovative businesses are emerging in Scotland, particularly from Edinburgh’s tech scene. We only see that continuing and growing, with the skills and community of people now developing across the country. Deloitte is in a great position to help these companies, with full engagement from across the firm’s service lines.”

The appointments come as Deloitte continues to grow its Private Markets presence – targeting privately-owned businesses with the potential for substantial growth – on the back of the firm’s experience supporting a number of Scotland’s most ambitious companies to expand internationally and execute successful transactions.

Garry Tetley, head of Deloitte’s private markets tax team in Scotland, said: “We are fortunate to work with some of the most aspirational and pioneering businesses in Scotland, helping them to grow and achieve their goals. Scotland is developing exciting, well-funded businesses led by strong management teams and we see this as a big opportunity for the firm and for our people.

“The appointments of Jim and Caroline enhance our ability to offer a full suite of services to these companies, and the people behind their success, at every stage of their development – it’s an unparalleled, holistic proposition in the Scottish market and part of our targeted investment to support ambitious businesses in scaling up and leading their fields. Jim and Caroline’s return also demonstrates the strength of the firm’s offering to senior professionals.”