RSM UK announces new tax heads to lead its teams in next phase of growth
Leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK has appointed three new service line heads from within its ranks to lead and grow three of the firm’s key tax service lines.
Helen Relf heads up private client services, advising the firm’s high net worth clients, while Rowena Cliffton leads the indirect tax team which spans advisory, global compliance and digital reporting, and VAT technology. Martin Cooper leads employer solutions, comprising RSM’s employment tax, global employer solutions and share plans & reward teams.
Helen joined RSM nearly 15 years ago as a tax director and became a partner in 2015. She currently leads a team of over 200 tax professionals dedicated to providing private client advisory and compliance services to RSM’s ultra-high-net-worth clients. Helen specialises in advising private business owners, entrepreneurs, and management teams. Her key areas of expertise include preparing for a tax efficient sale or liquidity event, offering tax support throughout transactions, and advising more widely on succession and wealth structuring.
Rowena joined RSM in 2016 as an indirect tax director, progressing to partner in 2019. She specialises in advising large and listed businesses, primarily in the energy, defense, aerospace and manufacturing sectors. Rowena advises on a broad range of international indirect tax issues, with a specific interest in VAT function effectiveness, tax governance, VAT technology tools and compliance processes.
Martin focuses on delivering tax-efficient solutions to reward clients’ employees using shares, share options and cash-based incentives. His clients include private equity-backed businesses and listed PLCs as well as high-growth companies and family-owned businesses. His key areas of expertise include all forms of tax-advantaged arrangements, growth shares and employee ownership trusts. Martin also advises remuneration committees on creating effective directors’ remuneration strategies, aligning the interests of key executives with those of investors, and motivating directors to deliver their strategic goals.
Ali Sapsford, head of tax at RSM UK said: “I’m thrilled to see Rowena, Martin and Helen take the reins to lead our tax teams through this next phase of growth, and I’m confident that our tax offering to clients will continue to be enhanced under their watch. I’d also like to say a big thank you to the outgoing tax heads – Gary Heynes, Anne-Marie Welch and Ian Carpenter – who have been fantastic leaders and role models for their teams and who will each continue to play essential senior roles as tax partners at RSM.”
In addition to the new service line heads, RSM UK has also promoted two new regional heads of tax, Elaine Shiels will lead the tax team in the Midlands, while Anthony Cox will lead the team in the North. James Morris will continue to lead the RSM corporate tax team.