French Duncan hires former head of tax for BDO Scotland, John Cairns

Scottish accountancy firm French Duncan has recruiting John Cairns as a tax partner.

Cairns has extensive experience advising owner-managed businesses and their owners on a wide range of tax matters, including: acquisitions and sales; reorganisations; share valuations; succession planning; share schemes; tax efficient investments and inheritance tax planning.

After periods with two international accountancy firms, Cairns joined a constituent firm of Scott-Moncrieff, initially as tax manager and thereafter as tax partner, before joining BDO as head of tax in Scotland in 2006.

He is convenor of ICAS Tax Committee and a member of ICAS Technical Bulletin Editorial Panel as well as an occasional speaker on ICAS courses.

Of his appointment, Cairns said: “I’m delighted to join French Duncan’s tax team in Glasgow and look forward to working alongside my colleagues to help our clients meet all their tax compliance obligations in these challenging times and equally addressing opportunities to claim the maximum amount of tax relief available in accordance with the tax legislation.”

Ann Somerville, tax partner and head of tax at French Duncan, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome John to our tax group. His appointment underlines the importance placed by the firm on the provision of an excellent tax service to our clients and John’s wealth of experience will undoubtedly enhance the existing strengths of our tax team.”
French Duncan’s tax team provides a range of specialist services, including: advice for partnerships, companies and the self-employed; VAT; EMI; Capital Allowances; R&D and Patent Box.