BDO expands Midlands team with VAT partner hire

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has strengthened its Midlands team with the senior appointment of Chris Rowe as VAT partner, following a raft of promotions across the region earlier this month.

Chris joins the Midlands Tax team and brings over 13 years’ experience to the position. In his previous role as director at EY, he led the automotive team nationally for Indirect Tax, and was also Tax lead on a number of key accounts. Chris also brings sector expertise across retail and manufacturing.

At BDO, Chris will be responsible for helping to build the Midlands VAT team, both in terms of people and revenues. He will also utilise his sector expertise by adding value to the firm’s Midlands manufacturing hub, while working nationally in the automotive market.

Kyla Bellingall, Midlands Managing Partner, said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Chris’ experience to the Midlands team, in what is an excellent hire for both our VAT and sector teams, as we look to solidify our presence in the regional market over the coming months and years.

“Having the right people in place to drive those ambitions, while supporting Midlands businesses in the notoriously complex areas of VAT and Indirect Tax, is absolutely vital. His arrival comes at an exciting time for the firm regionally, after 97 promotions in the Midlands across core areas of our business, including audit, tax and advisory.”

Chris said: “I’m really excited to get started at BDO. The culture within the business is fantastic and truly encourages collaboration, not only within specialist teams, but across the various sector disciplines, both regionally and nationally. The opportunity to build what is already a strong VAT team, as we look to capitalise on the significant market potential, is  very exciting and I’m delighted to be playing a key role in realising those ambitions in the Midlands.”

Earlier this month, BDO promoted 97 people across its team in the Midlands, including three promotions to partner. The promotions follow a raft of appointments, including John Rouse who was appointed as partner in the FAVS team, and a duo of Director hires in the Business Services & Outsourcing practice.