Accountancy firm Haines Watts has strengthened its leadership team in Bristol with the appointment of Clare Boden as corporate tax director.
Clare, pictured with Haines Watts director Andrew Jordan, managing partner Matthew Bracher and director Conor O’Sullivan, has joined from Evelyn Partners’ Bristol office, where she worked for nearly four years, most recently as a director in its business tax team. 
She has also worked for accountancy firms Ernst & Young (now EY) and BDO, for Bristol research and development tax credit advisers ForrestBrown and as a tax manager at household appliance firm Dyson.
She brings expertise from real estate, tech and construction sectors to her new role at Haines Watts, in which she will advise owner-managed businesses on corporate tax planning, restructuring and transactions.
While based in Haines Watt’s Bristol office, Clare will work with clients across the country.
Her arrival at the firm follows the promotion of associate director Conor O’Sullivan to director late last year. Conor now works alongside partners Andrew Jordan and Matthew Bracher.
Matthew, who was elected to the Haines Watts national board in last October, said Clare’s appointment would boost the company’s comprehensive offering for entrepreneurial clients across the UK.
“It is particularly now, in the difficult economic climate, where Clare will be able to advise clients on potential tax savings and incentive schemes such as research and development, Patent Box claims and effective structuring of corporate interests,” he added.
“Furthermore, her experience from her time at Dyson has provided her with a practical and insightful knowledge of how to deal with multi-jurisdictional tax regimes and the tax issues resulting from rapid growth and expansion.
“Clare adds not only a sound and practical knowledge of providing entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses with proactive, tax effective advice in the South West and Wales, but her diverse skill set enhances the Haines Watts tax team nationally.”
Clare said Haines Watts’ client base and the empathetic approach to their needs were what initially attracted her to the firm.
“Having a background in larger firms, it is refreshing to work with a team that really has the interests of the clients at heart,” she added.
“I am looking forward to being able to use my experience to really provide some positive benefits to Haines Watts’ clients.”
As group managing partner, Matthew is responsible for driving Haines Watts’ growth at the national level, as well as helping oversee greater sharing of skills and knowledge around its joint client base and helping collaboration between its South West offices.
The firm is now targeting 20% annual growth nationally for the next three to five years in order to maintain its top 20 national ranking.
Turnover in its Bristol alone has already increased by roughly 20% this year. Staff numbers in the office have leapt from 20 to 55 in just five years, with turnover trebling over the same period.
