Martin Aitken & Co boosts tax team with dual appointment

Scottish accountants and business advisers Martin Aitken & Co has announced the appointment of a pair of tax professionals to strengthen its Glasgow-based team.

Derek Hanlan has been recruited as associate director and Jennifer Hutchison has been named as the firm’s personal tax adviser to their tax team.

Mr Hanlan joins the firm from, Craig Corporate where he spent the last eight years advising owner managed businesses and SMEs on tax compliance, business succession and transactional related taxes.

A member of Chartered Institute of Taxation’s Scottish Technical Sub-Committee and with his formative years spent with Big 4 firms’, Mr Hanlan brings considerable tax experience which the firm said will further strengthen its growing corporate advisory capabilities.

Chief executive of Martin Aitken & Co, Adrienne Airlie, said: “Derek’s appointment complements the previously announced recruitment of, Euan Ferries earlier this year to lead our Corporate Advisory team. Allied to his tax specialisms Derek has for many years been advising family businesses, start-ups and early growth stage businesses, so this appointment is a good fit for us and adds further depth to our offering in this area.

Mr Hanlan said: “My primary focus will be to develop and build on the firm’s existing tax advisory expertise and to help our clients to achieve their objectives tax efficiently. I’m looking forward to building on the strong reputation of the team already in place and tackling the challenges that the Devolved Taxation powers and HMRC’s Making Tax Digital strategy will present to our clients and the tax profession.”

Jennifer Hutchison, meanwhile, has spent three years working for HMRC having achieved her AAT qualification whilst working for a two smaller accountancy firms.

Tricia Halliday, tax director at Martin Aitken & Co, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Derek and Jennifer to our tax team. Derek has a strong track record of advising on business succession, EIS, SEIS and developing tax planning strategies that facilitate growth. Jennifer’s background and experience at the Revenue will be a strong asset to our tax and financial services clients and the business as we continue to push forward with our own growth strategy.”