Cowgills tax team expands with new hires

Business advisory and accountancy firm Cowgills has expanded its tax team with the recruitment of three new senior advisors.

Emma Bowles, who was previously advising entrepreneurial clients at Grant Thornton, has joined the team as tax manager and Lyndsey Hay joins from Booth Ainsworth in Stockport as a personal tax manager. VAT manager Abigail O’Neill has joined from Ernst and Young where she advised multinational corporates, the NHS and charities on VAT matters.

Commenting on the appointments Cowgill’s partner and head of tax Lisa Wilson, said: “Emma, Lyndsey and Abigail are joining the team at an exciting time for our business. Despite the uncertain economic backdrop, the SME and owner-managed businesses we advise are thriving, as such our business is continuing to grow and we have fifteen new starters across the company at our offices in Bolton and Manchester.

“We want to recruit the best talent to support that growth and build for the future, and we have continued this trend with these appointments. Our people are important to us as they are the primary interaction with our clients and we are determined to enable people to return to work after starting their families. We have a dedicated head of people function and have made significant investment in our benefits and rewards to ensure that we attract and retain the very best talent in the North West.”

The latest hires bring the total head count of the Cowgills’ tax advisory team to nineteen. Emma has significant experience and will be working with the corporate finance and business recovery teams. Lyndsey will be advising high net worth individuals, partnerships and trusts and Abigail will be advising the practice clients on complex VAT matters, including the specialist property and construction team.

Commenting on why she chose Cowgills Emma said: “It is a well-respected firm which has a long history of working with some of the region’s leading SME businesses. As I live locally this was a great opportunity to move closer to home on my return from maternity leave.

“I was really impressed with the approach Cowgills takes to flexible working and creating a positive workplace environment. Lisa has a great reputation locally and in Manchester and I am really excited about the plans for the future of the business.”

Lyndsey added: “Joining Cowgills is a great opportunity for me to continue to grow in my career whilst having a young family. The firm offers a great work life balance. The team are friendly and ambitious and have a great vision for the future.”