People: New tax partner for KPMG Yorkshire; Law firm adds to employment team; and more

KPMG has boosted its tax practice in the region, as partner Christine Hewson transfers across the Pennines to the firm’s Leeds office.
 
Hewson, a partner at the firm since 2006 and KPMG’s head of tax and pensions in the North for the last six years, was previously focused on the North West market.

She is also KPMG’s head of retail in the North, with a client portfolio spanning a number of high profile businesses in the sector, including Morrisons, Lookers and Matalan.
 
As she takes up her new role, advising businesses across Yorkshire on their tax strategies and compliance challenges, ahead of the Budget she calls on the Chancellor to demonstrate that the UK will remain competitive on the global stage.

She said: “Priority needs to be given to supporting aspects of the tax system which bolster our international competitiveness. With the triggering of Article 50 imminent, the Chancellor must highlight that the UK is ‘open for business.’
 
“While the headline tax rate remains a factor, other areas will be just as important in continuing to attract foreign investment. Targeted incentives and a good treaty network alongside quality of infrastructure and access to markets and talent play a vital role in ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to invest.”
 

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An employment law solicitor has been appointed as an associate at LCF Barber Titleys in Harrogate.

James Austin has more than 14 years’ experience of all aspects of employment law, and joins from Harrogate law firm Raworths. He previously worked for Schofield Sweeney and is also an employment law lecturer at Leeds University and York University.

He will work alongside partner, and head of the employment law team, Liz Henry.

Austin says: “I have worked in Harrogate for the last three years advising a wide range of clients in the education, IT and healthcare sectors, as well as numerous SMEs on all areas of employment law.  
 
“As well as regularly providing advice on disciplinary, grievance and discrimination issues, I also draft employment documents and help employers defend tribunal claims and deal with redundancy and TUPE consultations.

“I was keen to join LCF Barber Titleys because it is such a forward thinking and innovative firm. Its successful employment law team operates across four Yorkshire offices and is headed up by Liz, who is very well regarded in the industry. I feel it will be a very rewarding role where I will be able to assist both existing and new clients.”

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Insurance broker McClarrons is developing its private client offering by welcoming a new member to the team as art and private client manager.

Ben Pickles joins Malton-based McClarrons from Hiscox, where he worked for several years as a development underwriter specialising in both high value private household and motor insurance.

Sean McClarron, managing director at McClarrons, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Ben on board. As a brokerage that specialises in the high-net-worth sector, we are thrilled to be at the stage where we are able to welcome a full-time art and private client manager to the team. Our growth and aspirations for future development make this the ideal time to expand our offering in this area.”

McClarrons offers its private clients help in protecting their assets, from fine wine to antique collections.

McClarron says: “It is surprising how often we come across private clients who have standard household insurance policies, which are simply inadequate for their needs. With access to major high-net-worth insurers, we are able to provide much improved solutions to our customers.”