Aim: “To help clients decide where they want to be and help them get there.” Expertise: Business tax planning, private clients, trusts & estates. Work and Clients: Steve devises tax efficient solutions for people and their businesses, especially where there is an international aspect. These are often transaction-orientated assignments where tax is a key component, and include acquisitions, disposals, listings, corporate finance, tax planning for companies and capital gains and inheritance tax planning for business owners. The route to Shipleys: Trained as a chartered accountant with a small firm in Kent before moving to gain the experience needed to obtain a practising certificate. Joined Ernst & Whinney in 1985 and moved on to Shipleys in 1991, becoming a principal in 1992. Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Chartered Institute of Taxation, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Most entertaining deal or case: “I was heavily involved with numerous colleagues in a major restructuring of a well known international manufacturer. The group was virtually bust, and an army of banks was turning up the heat. We were trying to re-engineer the assets and businesses so they could either attract fresh equity, or be sold. The client had not paid our fees from six months previously and substantial additional time costs had been incurred. A turnaround guru was brought in and just about his first move was to pay off and then sack all the professional advisers! Our disappointment at the loss was short lived as six weeks later another client made a successful offer for the group. We got the manufacturer back and additional fees for consulting on the purchase of the business! There were lots of happy smiling faces in the office that day.” What I like about my job: “The variety of people and challenges.” Proudest professional moments: “Convincing a client to settle a long standing dispute with the Inland Revenue. A couple of months later the law changed, and had he not settled it would have cost him half as much again in tax and additional professional fees." Interests outside work: Steve is a keen wine collector and past chairman of a Pall Mall club’s Wine Committee, although his cellar fails to grow as he would like due to frequent quality checks! He also enjoys watching Southampton Football club with his son and spending time with his family.