RSM Tenon confirms policy U-turn on tax chief role

RSM Tenon, the UK’s seventh largest firm, has appointed Paul Belsman as its
new Head of Tax in an policy U-turn caused by the rapid growth of the
department.

Belsman was previously head of tax at Vantis, which sold parts of its
business to RSM Tenon in June, and this growth led to a review of how tax
department would be led.

The firm
said
earlier this year that the position was being scrapped after Andrew Jupp
left by mutual agreement.

An RSM Tenon spokeswoman said: “The business has clearly moved on and is
significantly bigger than it was back then. This is a growth story and there was
a review of the tax department to reflect the changing nature of the business.”

Andrew Hubbard, RSM Tenon’s head of tax policy, will continue to have a
prominent role within the firm and has been appointed as chairman of the tax
team with specific responsibility for tax policy and technical standards.

Belsman said: “The RSM Tenon tax team is recognised as one of the leading tax
practices in the UK as a result of its dedicated expertise on offer.

“I very much look forward to working very closely with Andrew Hubbard to
drive forward the tax team and ensuring tax is at the heart of all our clients’
businesses.”

Andy Raynor, chief executive of RSM Tenon said: “Paul’s appointment comes at
a very important time.

“Companies and individuals are starting to feel the effects of new
legislation including the higher rate of tax, new tax avoidance procedures and
are expecting to have a harder time in the short term following the Spending
Review and the increase in VAT to 20%.

“Paul’s skills very much complement those existing within RSM Tenon, ideally
positioning us to help companies and entrepreneurs with their tax affairs at a
time when there are a lot of questions to be answered.”

Further reading:

RSM
Tenon may spend £6.8m in Vantis acquisitions