South: Grant Thornton strengthens VAT team in region

Grant Thornton has welcomed a new partner, Karen Robb, to head up its VAT team in the south region. Robb joins from the London market, where she led the VAT, customs and indirect tax practice for the UK and EMEA.

In the past four months, Grant Thornton has experienced significant growth and there have been more than 150 promotions across the South. The Thames Valley office in particular has celebrated more than 50 promotions including James Titheridge’s promotion to director.

Robb’s move will further strengthen the tax team in the region – she has 22 years’ experience of assisting large corporate and multi-national businesses with their VAT and indirect taxes and in particular advising on tax issues arising as a consequence of cross border and global trade. She has also spent five years working as a VAT inspector for the UK tax authorities.

Her work involves providing consulting and advisory services on the more complicated commercial aspects of large and complex businesses and she works across all sectors with extensive experience in the IT, technology, telecoms and digital media sectors. She will continue to service her existing clients while working on new projects with the Southern team.

Robb is the chairman of Grant Thornton International's EMEA indirect tax committee and works with member firms across the world, sharing knowledge and best practice, as well as training and mentoring teams. She also sits on various committees and consultation groups with HMRC and HM Treasury, including, recently, groups concerning new voucher rules and an EU-standardised VAT return.