Top UK accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael is bolstering its award-winning private client tax team with a significant new senior hire and a series of internal promotions.
Margaret Heggie has joined Johnston Carmichael as a senior tax manager, bringing over 25 years of expertise in international tax, trusts, capital gains, and high net worth individuals. Heggie, who holds a qualification from the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT), will collaborate with Senga Prior, a senior tax manager and newly appointed ATT President, to enhance the firm’s compliance services within its private client tax division.
This appointment is part of Johnston Carmichael’s broader investment strategy in its private client practice, which has recently seen 8% of its staff promoted over the past year. The team, which now comprises 61 members, anticipates further senior appointments to the advisory team later in the year.
The growth of the private client team has been notable, with advisory fee income increasing by 28% in the financial year ending 31 May 2024 compared to the previous year. The team also recently earned recognition as Best Private Client Tax Practice at the 2024 Tolley’s Taxation Awards, a prestigious national event celebrating tax excellence.
Alex Docherty, partner and Head of Private Client Tax, commented: “We’d like to welcome Margaret to the Johnston Carmichael family, and we look forward to sharing her expertise not only with clients but across the business with colleagues who will benefit from her knowledge and skillset.
“We are experiencing a strong growth phase, creating exceptional job opportunities within our acclaimed, specialist team, known for its expertise in rural and property matters, transactional taxes, and family succession planning.
“We also invest heavily in our people, offering top-notch in-house and external training and qualifications at all levels of the firm. More than half of our team are tax or accounts qualified, and 16 are currently pursuing professional exams.
“It is an incredibly exciting time to build a career in tax and accountancy. Automation is reducing manual administrative tasks, allowing our teams to focus on what they do best—advising clients and providing added value.
“We pride ourselves on being an independent, progressive firm with a focus on quality, and I’d encourage anyone who shares our values to get in touch.”
Johnston Carmichael’s private client tax specialists cater to over 9,000 clients across the UK, including more than 2,000 rural clients, helping them navigate a complex and evolving regulatory environment.
As demand for the team’s services grows, the firm is looking to expand further, with vacancies available for experienced and ambitious senior tax managers and directors.
The firm’s services encompass a wide range of personal affairs, including capital tax planning, tax compliance, and succession planning. With a significant proportion of clients being land-based, the team has been instrumental in advising on diversification and environmental land management.
