In Your Shoes - Kimberley Thomson

Monday – Supporting owner managed businesses and shaping direction

The week started working closely with a number of our owner managed business clients, supporting them with some of the challenges and opportunities they are facing from a tax perspective. This included assisting two clients with their R&D and Patent Box claims, helping to reduce their tax liabilities and, in one case, secure a cash repayment through R&D tax credits. It’s a great example of how technical tax work can make a real difference to businesses, particularly in the current climate where cashflow is so important.

Later in the day, I met with our firm's Board. Our firm places real importance on making sure all departments are well understood and supported at a senior level, so these sessions are a great support as a Head of Department in the firm.

Tuesday – Celebrating progress and tackling technical challenges

Tuesday brought some great news, with our intern offers being accepted. It is always a good moment, not just for the candidates, but for the team as well. After the work that goes into recruitment, it is important to take the time to recognise that success and share the excitement, which we were then able to carry through into conversations later in the week.

I also had a coffee meeting with a university student who had originally applied for an audit internship position but showed a real interest in tax during the process. Although they had missed the tax internship opportunity this time, I was keen to take the opportunity to explain what a career in tax looks like within a professional services firm.

We talked through the different areas within tax, what day-to-day work can involve, and I suggested some reading to help them make an informed decision as they head into their final year at university. These kinds of conversations matter, helping people explore options and make the right choices is a small investment that can have a big impact on their future.

Alongside that, the day included further work on technical tax matters, including discussions around international expansion and Pillar 2. These are complex areas, but part of my role is to help businesses navigate the tax landscape and plan for the future. Balancing this kind of technical work alongside broader leadership responsibilities is a core part of the role and keeps things fun and interesting for me and the tax team, although I’ll spare you the technical detail!

Wednesday – Developing future leaders

Wednesday was focused on developing our future leaders, as I took part in our Henderson Loggie Academy programme. The Academy included a two-day leadership course, bringing together colleagues from across the firm to focus on developing the skills needed as we progress into more senior roles.

At the end of the first day, we held our HL Academy dinner, a great opportunity to step away from the formal sessions and connect in a more relaxed setting. It created space for open conversation, reflection and sharing experiences, which is just as valuable as the structured learning itself.

Thursday – Connecting with the business community

Thursday morning was spent at a Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce brunch held in the beautiful setting of Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort. Set in the Angus countryside, it provided the perfect backdrop for bringing together business leaders from across the region.

The brunch itself was excellent, and the lodge we were in was a real highlight. It was a beautiful space overlooking the first tee of the golf course, which made for a relaxed and engaging environment for conversation.

The focus this time was on brand, a topic that always sparks interesting discussion. Events like this are a valuable opportunity to step outside the day-to-day, hear different perspectives, build relationships and learn something, all of which play an important role in staying connected to the wider business community.

Friday – Bringing the team together

We finished the week with our quarterly Tax Day, this time in Edinburgh. I love bringing the team together and the buzz and energy it creates. It is also an opportunity to share updates and focus on the bigger picture.

This session had a strong focus on leadership, as we continue to invest in developing our future leaders through our leadership programme. We also looked ahead to the budget for the year, shared team news and, importantly, created space for open discussion.

And this time, we rounded things off with some well-earned drinks and a chance to connect as a team in a more informal way and celebrate everything that is being achieved.