What does 2024 have in store?

John is the firm’s head of tax. He provides high level tax advice combined with commercial acumen in terms of managing and advising on personal and business transactions. He has a broad knowledge of tax and can assist with all aspects of UK and international taxation. His main area of expertise is in respect of business structuring for both new and established businesses including partnership arrangements and LLPs.

John’s principal focus is on family businesses and helping business owners to achieve their aspirations. He has a particular focus on the property sector and advises property owners and developers on tax and financial matters.

John is very experienced in advising on the tax implications of international transactions. He has been advising on cross border arrangements for over 20 years including property and business ownership by private clients, entrepreneurs and family businesses.

John also handles complex technical and multi-faceted disputes with HMRC including statutory interpretation, case law and share and business valuation issues. He also supports appellants at First-tier and Upper Tax Tribunals. He acts as a tax expert in disputes advising both defendants and claimants – as both single and joint expert.

John also acts as a trustee to a number of our clients and often acts as an executor on complex estates. He is able to offer specialist expertise in trust and estate tax planning in particular regarding inheritance tax and capital gains tax. He has particular expertise on the availability of business property relief for property based businesses.

John is a council member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. He is a well-known writer on tax matters and was named ‘Tax Writer of the Year’ at the Tolley’s Taxation Awards in 2012. He is the author of ‘Furnished Holiday Lettings: A Tax Guide’ and is on the editorial board of LexisPSL. John also regularly presents in person or online, especially on capital taxes, partnership taxation and property taxation issues.

John is a graduate of Cardiff University Business School. He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and also of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Chris is the Managing Director of Francis Clark Financial Planning and a partner at PKF-Francis Clark. His background is as a Chartered Wealth Manager, having started his advice career with NatWest Stockbrokers before moving to Coutts & Co. and then to Arbuthnot Latham and Co. During this time he was both investment manager and private banker to his clients.

Chris grew up in the South West, but spent the early part of his career in London before returning to start the Coutts business in 2008. His last role was as the head of the Regional Offices Arbuthnot Latham and Co, where he expanded the business from an office in Exeter to offices in Exeter, Bristol and Manchester, growing the balance sheet to over £1bn.

As Managing Director at FCFP, Chris leads the next stage of the team’s growth, integrating the business more fully into the partnership and extending its reach into the external market. He is passionate about providing exceptional advice and caring for our clients, but equally providing the most fulfilling environment for staff where they can flourish.

Nicola is a chartered accountant and tax advisor, based in our Truro office. She works with a wide range of owner-managed and family businesses, providing business advice and tax planning along with accounts, audit and tax compliance services. She works with businesses across a variety of sectors including food and drink, leisure and tourism, construction and professional services.

She enjoys building strong relationships with her clients and in this role often acts as sounding board for business owners, balancing commercial business advice with the interests of the individuals and families. Working closely with a range of specialists across the firm, Nicola brings their expertise to her clients whenever needed with a focus on client care.