Saffery Champness has strengthened its Landed Estates Group with the appointment of Mick Downs.
Mr Downs joins the firm from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), where for almost 20 years he was their technical specialist with responsibility for Inheritance Tax reliefs for National Heritage property before retiring last year.
Latterly at HMRC, and in consultation with professional advisers and other relevant bodies, he produced HMRC’s guidance Capital Taxation and the National Heritage.
Martin Holden of Saffery Champness in Harrogate said Mick’s experience of working with advisory bodies such as Arts Council England, English Heritage and Natural England would bring significant benefits for the firm’s landed estates clients.
Martin Holden said:
Yorkshire is home to some outstanding historic houses, estates and trusts, many of which are clients of our Landed Estates Group.
Mick has had extensive dealings with professional advisers and bodies such as the Historic Houses Association and the Heritage Lawyers Group and the skills and expertise that he brings will add considerably to our pedigree as one of the leading advisers in relation to tax and heritage matters in the UK.
Mick Downs said:
I had not intended to continue to work after my retirement from HMRC. However, Saffery Champness offered me the chance to continue to work in the specialist area of the national heritage aspects of Inheritance Tax. An offer like this from so prestigious a firm in that field was one that I could not refuse, and have been delighted to accept.
