Brian Castle joins Smith & Williamson’s national tax team

Smith & Williamson, the investment management and financial services group, has announced the appointment of Brian Castle as an associate director within the National Tax team.

Working with National Tax head, Richard Mannion, Brian will provide bespoke research to Private Client Tax Services teams in London and the regional offices. He is expert in capital gains tax, inheritance tax, family office and rural wealth management issues.

“Prior to joining Smith & Williamson, I spent some 17 years advising members of the Country Landowners Association and their professional advisers,” said Brian. “The CLA has always had strong links with Smith & Williamson, but the lure for me was the opportunity to work with a much broader client base.

I will be working with my colleagues in Private Client Tax Services to understand our clients’ concerns and provide practical solutions based on tailored research. There is a growing need for this as the Government quite clearly has a tax-raising agenda, having sought to shore up tax-avoidance boltholes and with the introduction of new taxes, such as the Planning Gains Supplement. Therefore the pressure is on to protect our clients’ interests.”

Richard said: “I am delighted to welcome Brian to the National Tax team and look forward to working with him to enhance the tax services provided by the firm.”

Outside of Smith & Williamson, Brian is a Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration in the London Borough of Ealing.