KPMG picks up Sarah Churton as Partner in Corporate International Tax practice

KPMG has picked up international tax expert Sarah Churton from EY. She joins as a Partner in the firm’s Corporate International Tax practice, and brings more than 20 years’ experience to the firm, particularly in US-UK tax relations and the life-sciences business.

According to analysis by Statista, the revenue of tax consultancies in the UK will continue a steady rate of growth until 2019, having already been forecast to rise from £23,986 million in 2015 to £24,823 million by the end of 2017. In 2019, revenues are expected to hit a peak of £26,028 million. Big Four accounting and consulting firms Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC hold a large share of the UK's tax advisory market – something which has seen KPMG make multiple appointments to its Tax practice over the last 12 months.

Early last year, KPMG promoted tax advisory expert David Elliott to the role of Senior Partner at its Newcastle office, succeeding Mick Thompson who is retired from the role. Later on in 2017, the firm followed this up with the promotion of Claire Angell. One of KPMG’s rising stars, following a number of award wins, Angell took on the role of Head of Tax for Energy, tasked with supporting domestic and international businesses with navigating increasingly complex tax environments in the face of market transformations.

Now, as the firm continues its effort to strengthen its leadership in its UK and international tax offerings, KPMG has appointed Sarah Churton as a Partner in its Corporate International Tax practice. Churton arrives at KPMG following a 20 year career with Big Four rivals EY.

Following the completion of her master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Oxford, Churton first joined EY in London as a Tax Consultant in 1998, rising to Assistant Tax Manager in 2002, with further promotion to International Tax Manager two years later. In 2009 she became an International Tax Director, before, in 2012, crossing the Atlantic for a New York-based role as Executive Director for the UK Tax Desk. She returned to London in 2015, as an Executive Director for International Tax, providing large international firms with a broad array of advisory related to tax matters.

Her move to KPMG sees Churton become a Partner in the firm’s Corporate International Tax practice. Her previous experience connecting issues between the US and UK companies adds to the firm’s capabilities, as does her extensive experience for cross-border tax issues for the life sciences sector.

Commenting on the appointment Melissa Geiger, Partner and Head of International Tax at KPMG in the UK, said, “The international tax environment is complex and increasingly inter-connected. Clients are looking for trusted advice to help them navigate the challenges of complying with changing rules and regulations, not least the recent changes to the US tax system. We are continuing to invest in our international tax practice, further enhancing our existing team of exceptional professionals advising and supporting our clients. Sarah brings with her a wealth of experience in both UK and international tax, specifically in the life sciences sector.”