Prime Accountants makes ‘flagship’ senior private client tax hire

Prime Accountants Group has strengthened its private client tax offering with the appointment of Andrew Cockman as head of private client.

Based in the West Midlands, Andrew joins the independent accountancy practice with extensive experience advising high-net-worth individuals, international families and trustees on complex private client tax matters, with a particular focus on inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning.

He joins Prime from global accountancy firms including Deloitte, PwC and Grant Thornton and brings specialist expertise supporting UK family-owned businesses, farming clients and landed estates with succession planning, asset transfers and long-term wealth preservation.

Andrew’s appointment is the fourth director-level hire made by Prime Accountants Group in the past 18 months, as the firm continues to invest in strengthening its senior team across its Solihull, Birmingham and Coventry offices.

Andrew is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, a trust and estate practitioner and a regular contributor to the professional press.

He said: “It’s really exciting to work with a growing business like Prime so the team can benefit from the experience I’ve garnered over the years. 

“It is a very impressive business, with a uniform, consistent approach, which I really like.

“My early impressions are they are great people to work with – friendly, welcoming and clearly forward-thinking in everything they do.”

Andrew joins an expanded tax team alongside tax manager Jagdeep Sahota and directors Paislei Godley and Stuart Gooderham.

Morgan Davies, managing director at Prime Accountants Group, added: “This is a flagship appointment for us of an extremely experienced IHT and business property relief specialist.

“With government rules changing before Christmas, a significant number of businesses will need support, and through Prime we are well placed to provide that.

“In addition to Andrew, Jagdeep is another senior hire who joins us from a national firm and further bolsters an exceptional team.

“We have made four director-level appointments in the last 18 months through organic growth. 

“This reflects strong succession planning and our ability to attract high-quality talent because we are passionately independent and have a fantastic client base.

“The move of tax specialists from large firms to regional practices is a great story and highlights the strength and appeal of our firm.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →