Grant Thornton UK promotes Vanags to R&D Tax Partner

Grant Thornton UK LLP has announced the appointment of Sam Vanags as a tax partner in its Oxford office.

Previously with KPMG, Vanags joined Grant Thornton in 2000 as a tax manager and created the firm’s Research & Development (R&D) tax specialist group. She speaks regularly at seminars and conferences and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Core to Sam’s role will be growing the firm’s R&D tax offering, but she will also lead tax advisory assignments, particularly corporate acquisitions and disposals, in the Oxford office.

Vanags says, “I am excited by my new role and look forward to increasing the value of the tax group at our Oxford office and progressing Grant Thornton’s R&D market proposition. The development of leading edge technology in the UK is, in many cases, key to staving off competition from other economies and my job is to make sure that Grant Thornton leads the market in helping companies to take full advantage of the tax breaks on offer.”

Janet Crookes, Managing Partner at Grant Thornton Oxford, says, “Sam’s appointment as partner recognises her expertise in all areas of corporate tax and further bolsters an already formidable tax offering to the Oxford market. Sam will continue to use her expertise in R&D to position Grant Thornton as a leading adviser to companies wanting to maximise their R&D claims.”