Gravitate Accounting appoints new director

A Sheffield accountancy firm has found its new head of tax – thanks to TikTok.

Gravitate Accounting turned to the platform after two years of traditional recruitment failed to find the right fit. 

Armed with a ‘Tax Director Wanted’ sign, marketing executive Emily Redfern toured Kelham Island, posting a light-hearted recruitment video.

It caught the eye of senior tax specialist Luke James, just as he was boarding a flight to Turkey.

Luke joined the Neepsend-based team in July, bringing 15 years of experience, including senior leadership roles and advising high-net-worth individuals and SMEs up to £100 million turnover.

He said: “I was aware of the Gravitate vacancy but hadn’t really connected with it. 

“The TikTok post made me realise their team wasn’t afraid to try something different and had a sense of humour. 

“Plus, Kelham Island looked like a great place to work.

“I responded before my holiday flight took off and went to meet them as soon as I got back.”

Gravitate, founded in 2019 by Sam Newton and Mike Crocker, now employs 30 people and turned over £1.5 million last year.

Clients range from private individuals to £25 million-turnover businesses across engineering, manufacturing, tech and professional services.

Sam added: “Luke is a key appointment for our ambitious growth plans. 

“Having a specialist in-house tax team enables Gravitate to provide a holistic and completely hands-on accountancy service, which will better-support existing clients and attract bigger businesses to us.

“We are working with some of the fastest-scaling firms in the region and it’s a fact that tax issues get more complex as businesses expand. 

“Our corporate finance department has been extremely successful since its launch in 2024, supporting clients buying and selling businesses, processes which create numerous tax complexities. 

“These key services work hand-in-hand with the strategic tax planning advice Luke will be providing.”

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