KPMG appoints Vishal Chopra as Head of Tax in Scotland
KPMG has announced the appointment of Vishal Chopra as partner and its new Head of Tax in Scotland. He joins KPMG from Grant Thornton, where he held the equivalent role.
With offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, KPMG has more than 700 professionals across it’s Scottish wing, providing specialist audit, tax and advisory services. In 2013, the Big Four firm opened a Tax Centre of Excellence in Glasgow, acting as a hub for all our other UK offices providing Corporate, International Executive and Private Client services.
The Scottish wing of KPMG’s tax practice has been headed by Alan Turner for the last three years – however he has now been promoted to lead the firm’s Corporates Tax & Legal Services practice across the UK. An international tax specialist, who has been with the firm for 15 years, Turner will lead a team of 450 tax professionals and lawyers, providing services to the firm’s largest multinational and listed clients. As part of his new role, he will continue to work with large corporate clients in Scotland.
Speaking on his move, Turner said, “We’re in the midst of the most dynamic tax environment that I’ve ever seen. Covid-19, Brexit and Biden are all likely to trigger significant tax changes in 2021, affecting multinationals, family businesses and individuals alike. To be leading the team that works with our largest clients as they face into these changes is a privilege.”
Stepping into Turner’s shoes as KPMG’s Scottish Tax Head is Vishal Chopra. A corporate tax specialist, will now lead the team of 90 tax professionals operating across the firm’s offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Commenting on his appointment, Chopra said, “The resilience and agility demonstrated by businesses across all sectors gives an indication as to how we will come through the uncertainties posed by Brexit, the Coronavirus, and the pace of geopolitical change. This provides some cause for optimism as we move away from what was a very difficult 2020 and into a more hopeful 2021. KPMG continues to show its commitment to Scotland’s economy and its people, and I’m excited to now be a part of that.”
Chopra has 19 years’ experience advising large corporate and multinational businesses as well as their owners on a wide range of UK and overseas matters. This includes both corporate and personal tax aspects, as well as the way these interact with each other. Most recently, he was employed by Grant Thornton, where he held a similar role in the advisory and audit firm’s Scottish tax practice.
Catherine Burnet, KPMG’s Regional Chair in Scotland, added, “Vishal brings considerable experience and understanding of the issues facing Scottish businesses and his appointment reinforces our commitment to supporting those businesses and the broader Scottish economy. He joins to lead a team that has recently been strengthened by a number of promotions, paving the way for strong growth. Congratulations also go to Alan for his appointment to lead our UK Corporates Tax & Legal practice. This is testament to the development of our talent in Scotland and to Alan’s experience and skills.”
