Becky Bowness promoted to Head of Tax

Armstrong Watson is delighted to announce that Corporate Tax Partner Becky Bowness has taken on the role of Head of Tax and leads the firm’s tax service lines across all 18 offices throughout the North of England and Scotland.

Becky’s promotion follows a significant and continuing growth period for the tax team, with recent senior hires including Partner, Hydeam Sulton, who now leads on VAT and Indirect Taxes, and Partner James Fraser, who leads on Corporate Tax services. Motor retail tax specialist, Michelle Malone, also recently joined the firm following Armstrong Watson’s acquisition of, ASE Professional Services, and leads on Automotive Tax. In addition to these experienced hires the firm also recently welcomed their second intake of ATT school leaver/apprentices beginning their tax careers and is actively recruiting for 2023’s intake too.

Commenting on her new position and her plans for the role going forward, Becky said: “I am looking forward to leading, working with and growing our very experienced tax team to support the ambitions and goals of our fantastic clients.

“For businesses and individuals proactive tax planning has never been more important, nor as topical, as each day we hear from our clients and the media how the decisions made now around tax will have an impact on all of us.

“As Head of Tax, it’s my role to ensure that we effectively and proactively advise our clients on all opportunities and provide pragmatic, commercial solutions to all issues they face. We see ourselves as an integral part of the business planning and personal wealth management process whatever the phase of the business lifecycle or personal ambitions.”

Becky previously headed up the Corporate Tax Team at Armstrong Watson having spent 13 years with PwC’s International and M&A tax teams in both their London and New York offices, and prior to that spent 6 years with a Cumbrian firm advising clients across the North of England.

CEO Paul Dickson said: “Becky’s appointment as Head of Tax is another key milestone in the development of Armstrong Watson’s Tax proposition, as we look both to ensure that we can meet the more sophisticated and swiftly changing needs of our clients in challenging circumstances, as business becomes increasingly more complex, and to grasp the opportunities to look after the requirements of businesses and individuals looking for advice of the highest quality.

“Becky has continuously shown over the past 3 years her passion and commitment to this strategy, and with her extensive knowledge and experience, I am confident that she will successfully lead the tax team through ambitious growth, as we continue to support, advise and protect our clients to achieve prosperity, a secure future and peace of mind.”