New Global Head of TP at Taxand: Stephen Labrum joins from EY London

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) Taxand UK, the independent tax advisory firm, announced last week that it has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Managing Director Stephen Labrum in London.
Mr. Labrum joins from Ernst & Young to become A&M’s new Global Head of Transfer Pricing (TP). Shiv Mahalingham continues to lead the U.K. practice, while the existing heads of TP will remain in place in the U.S. and other markets. Mr. Labrum’s appointment represents the next stage in the development of Alvarez & Marsal Taxand’s TP practice. The TP practice is expected to achieve substantial growth in the coming years by expanding in existing locations and establishing new teams in several important markets in the U.S., which will be closely aligned with the International Tax practice to serve the growing demand for TP advisory services.

David Pert, Head of Alvarez & Marsal Taxand UK, said:

“We have created the new position of Global Head of Transfer Pricing to bring together the global reach of A&M and the Taxand network, so that we can continue to meet our clients’ needs. Recent market surveys have consistently shown that transfer pricing is now one of the most significant tax challenges faced by multinational companies and so it is essential that we offer transfer pricing services which make best use of our global capabilities. Stephen’s experience in both the U.K. and U.S. makes him an ideal choice to help us with this important initiative.”

Mr. Labrum’s transfer pricing experience covers related policy design, business restructuring, global documentation, implementation, and resolving and preventing issues with tax authorities. His experience in the area of policy design includes developing transfer pricing policies that are practical to implement and defend, while also being fully compliant with the rules in relevant jurisdictions.

Ernesto Perez, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Taxand and National Practice Leader of the firm’s Transaction and International Tax practices, added:

“Stephen Labrum’s arrival at A&M Taxand is set against the backdrop of multinationals striving for globalisation and governments aggressively seeking to protect their revenue base. Stephen’s transfer pricing expertise will complement our international tax services to clients who are trying to arrange their tax matters as efficiently as possible, while responding to unprecedented levels of challenge by tax authorities around the world. ”

Stephen Labrum, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Taxand UK, added:

“As Global Head of Transfer Pricing, I look forward to working with my colleagues to help deliver an outstanding service to our clients, drawing on the Alvarez & Marsal Taxand teams in the U.S. and U.K., and the Taxand global network of over 2,000 tax professionals in 48 countries.

“Two factors differentiate us from our competition: first, our business model is based on ensuring that our most experienced and senior team members are very involved in the day-to-day delivery of high quality service to our each of our clients. Second, the wider Alvarez & Marsal business is based on providing deep industry-specific business guidance. By working closely with these colleagues we will be able to focus more effectively on the true commercial issues at the heart of our clients’ transfer pricing challenges.”