Senior tax hire for Azets’ North East team

Accountancy and advisory firm Azets has appointed Jodie Barwick-Bell as a private client tax partner to lead its private client tax team in the North East.

Jodie, a highly experienced adviser specialising in complex tax affairs and family offices, joins from Evelyn Partners and has held senior roles at Deloitte and KPMG. 

She will be based in Newcastle, supporting Azets’ offices across the region, including Alnwick, Crook, Durham, Hexham, Newcastle, Morpeth and Wynyard.

Jodie said: “There is clear demand for strategic advice from multigenerational families with complex tax affairs in the North East, with Azets well-positioned to provide a range of services under one roof and a holistic, joined-up strategy.

“There are some 4.8 million family-owned businesses in the UK, employing around 14 million people, and the turnover amongst the top 100 ones alone exceed £138 billion, with all the inherent financial complexities that come with expansion, including the desire to preserve and grow wealth for future family members.” 

“The North East region has nearly 193,000 companies – many are owned and run by business owners who have not yet agreed a succession plan. 

“Given the recently announced IHT changes which take effect from April 2026, this year is a particularly important time for business owners to obtain tax advice and plan for the future.”

Brian Laidlaw, Azets’ head of North East, added: “This is another exciting appointment for us at Azets in the North East – we have spoken about the ongoing drive to recruit senior hires and support regional businesses and their owners through the full growth lifecycle.  

“Jodie brings considerable personal tax experience in advising private clients with varied business and investment interests, supporting them with tax, investment structuring, succession planning, trusts and philanthropy, dovetailing with our other specialist service lines.”

Jodie’s appointment follows a series of senior hires and promotions at Azets, including Ian Beaumont as regional senior partner for the North East and Yorkshire, and Lee Humble as UK head of corporate finance.

In addition, Claire Smailes has become head of tax in the North East, Clair Williams has become the national head of employment tax, and, as part of 122 mid-year promotions by Azets, Newcastle-based Louise Phillips, previously VAT senior manager, has been made a director.

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