What do you do?

In a nutshell I support clients to better understand, manage and optimise their global supply chains, navigate ever evolving Customs/Excise obligations, and boost working capital through duty efficiency.

Why do you do it?

When it comes to tax, for me, duty and trade is the most glamourous of all!

I love problem solving and developing creative solutions to complex tax issues, and if I can save my clients money by reducing their duty bill, that gets my competitive juices flowing.

I relish coupling my commercial head with my tax professional head, to tackle intricate tax puzzles and deliver first class quality and valuable advice.

What kind of projects have you been involved in?

Like many of us, I was lucky enough to be in the thick of the recent pre and post Brexit era (which doesn’t seem to be getting any easier), battling the constant challenges arising from cross-border movement of goods.  I worked with clients across a wide variety of sectors, with different international supply chains and products.

Global supply chain review and modelling, designing and implementation of efficient solutions, and complying with Customs Regulations was at the heart of it all.  From delivery of Customs Special Procedures such as Customs Warehousing, Inward Processing and AEO, to developing strategy around Customs classification, valuation and origin.  I have helped clients to capitalise on reliefs and maximise cost saving opportunities, whilst adhering to their Customs obligations on limited resources.  Whether it’s delivering training to upskill in-house staff, or implementing a global supply chain solution, I thrive on helping people and business.

In one of my most memorable projects I helped a global drinks business to identify and execute a niche Customs procedure which involved a lot of creative thinking around the production process.  It was a great success and saved the business an annual 7-figure duty bill – which, knowing the business, was likely invested straight into their innovative marketing campaigns!

Automation, data analytics and technology solutions will play an increasingly vital role in international trade, as businesses seek to gain that competitive advantage in the market.  Would a Customs driven data and technology solution provide a net benefit to your business?  The proof is in the numbers, and working through that analysis and strategy is just as fun and important as the design/delivery phases.

What’s on the top of your bucket list?

I have been blessed with opportunities to travel the world, however I have yet to visit Iceland to see the Northern Lights and everything else the country has to offer, so I would say that is next on my list.  If I can convince myself to sky dive whilst on the trip, I would strike two for one – I’m a thrill-seeker!