Matthew Cridland moves from KPMG to DLA Piper Sydney to strengthen law firm’s GST/VAT offering

DLA Piper yesterday announced that Matthew Cridland has joined the firm’s Tax practice as a partner in Sydney.

Matthew joins from KPMG, where he was a Director, providing advice to clients on a wide range of Goods and Services Tax (GST) related issues including Real Property, Energy and Resources, Public Private Partnerships and Telecommunications.

Matthew brings with him an impressive track record of advising global Financial Services companies, particularly on securitisation transactions, funds management, superannuation, life insurance, securities lending, cross-border finance, syndicated finance transactions, credit card arrangements, equipment leases and hire purchase arrangements.

Matthew also has significant experience and expertise on major infrastructure projects and has acted for government agencies, structuring transactions, and evaluating bids for the sale of infrastructure or other assets. He also has a strong relationship with the Australia Taxation Office and Treasury, engaging with them on a number of industry related issues.

Roderik Bouwman, International Group Head for Tax said: “With the expansion of the Australian tax group under the leadership of Jock McCormack, DLA Piper’s uncompromising commitment to build a leading tax platform for its clients, whether national or international, has taken another step forward. Matthew’s recognised expertise in the GST area is a clear testimony to this commitment.”

Jock McCormack, Head of the Tax Group for DLA Piper in Australia added: “Matthew’s appointment is reflective of the increasing importance of GST/VAT to tax planning and tax risk management issues and considerably strengthens our broad and full tax service offering in Australia and globally. With the proposed reform of Australia’s International GST regime and the on-going modernisation of various GST regimes, including in China and India, we expect that Matthew’s joining is timely and that he will be very active across our global GST/VAT practice.”

Prior to his role at KPMG, Matthew worked for King & Wood Mallesons, Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Ernst & Young. Matthew also has a Masters of Laws from the University of Sydney, where he graduated from in 2003.