Team move from Chiene + Tait to French Duncan
Scottish accountancy firm, French Duncan, has appointed David Collier as a partner and Alastair Thomson (pictured) as a director within its tax consultancy services in the Edinburgh office. Both previously worked at Chiene + Tait.
The pair is well known in Scotland as a highly respected consultancy team, advising business and private clients on UK and international tax. They add to the already strong Scotland-wide business and private client tax team at French Duncan.
Having trained as a CA with two of the Big Four firms in Edinburgh, Collier joined Chiene + Tait as a partner 20 years ago, where he proceeded to develop a tax consultancy team with Thomson.
Commenting on his new role, Collier said: “What distinguishes myself and Alastair is that we undertake more ad hoc work than many of our peers; examining all the planning aspects of tax rather than simply compliance issues. Our team is now part of French Duncan’s tax consultancy team and we’re pleased to join such acknowledged tax specialists as Ann Somerville, Barry Laurie, Bruce Connelly and Andrew Ford, whom we have known for a number of years.”
Having trained as a financial accountant and auditor in London before participating in a successful start-up company providing a press cuttings service to large businesses and government departments, Thomson subsequently specialised in business tax.
“I started working with David seven years ago, providing a range of technical, commercial and strategic services for a diverse client base. I am excited that in French Duncan we will be continuing to act for significant UK and multi-national groups, as well as growing businesses and individuals needing tax advice,” he said.
Welcoming the pair to the firm, Graeme Finnie, managing partner at French Duncan, said: “We’re delighted to attract such well-respected advisers as Alastair and David to our expanding tax team.
“The tax work that Alastair and David undertake is business-orientated, involving such specialisms as share incentives, including share-based accounting for listed companies, corporate reorganisations, cross-border private client tax services and commercial advice on green energy projects. As such, the expertise they bring to the table complements the French Duncan teams we have in these areas and enhances the range of advice we can offer our expanding client base.”