Johnston Carmichael has strengthened its tax advisory team with the appointment of a new tax director as the firm targets continued growth among large corporate clients across Scotland and beyond.

Chris Forgan joins the leading UK accountancy and business advisory business with more than a decade of experience in tax compliance and advisory work, having trained as a Tax Inspector with HMRC before moving into the private sector.

He has a broad range of experience, including working at a Big Four firm in the UK and internationally, advising a diverse portfolio of national and international businesses, and he returns to Johnston Carmichael after working at the firm as a tax manager early in his career.

In his new role, Chris will lead the delivery of tax compliance and advisory services to a broad range of clients, with a particular focus on large corporates. He will also work closely with the firm’s International Tax Director, Amanda Collinson, to grow their corporate client base.

He advises on areas including corporate interest restriction, loan relationships and debt structuring, international tax matters, and tax accounting. He also has considerable experience supporting owner-managed businesses with practical, commercially focused tax advice.

Chris said: “It’s great to be returning to Johnston Carmichael at such an exciting stage in its growth journey. I loved my time here previously, and the organisation has a real family feel to it, which has helped me to settle back in. The firm has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality, partner-led tax advice, and I look forward to helping our clients navigate an increasingly complex tax landscape while supporting the continued expansion of our corporate offering.”

John McAuslin, Tax Partner and Head of Corporate Tax at the firm, said: “Chris has spent years growing his knowledge and experience, so it’s brilliant to have him back to the team. Attracting and welcoming back talented people who know the business and share our values is a key focus for us as we continue to grow. Chris will take on a key leadership role in our Edinburgh office, helping support our wider client base, as well as working closely with intermediaries in the local area. His depth of experience with both HMRC and large corporates will be invaluable as we continue to build our client base and broaden our tax advisory capabilities across Scotland and the UK.”

Chris joins following a period of strong growth, with eight new hires joining the corporate taxes team this year. as the business expands its tax and advisory teams in response to increased demand from large corporates for tailored, strategic tax support.