Growing Midlands tax division bolstered with new private client director

Midlands-based accountancy and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper has recruited Dean Castledine to the new role of Private Client Director, as the company continues to invest in the development and expansion of its tax advisory division and private client services.

Dean Castledine brings 20 years of experience and expertise in private client tax advisory services to PKF Smith Cooper. He began his career working for HMRC and has since occupied several roles in the Midlands, including a position at leading accounting firm RSM. Before joining PKF Smith Cooper, he was Private Client Senior Manager at Shorts Chartered Accountants for seven years.

PKF Smith Cooper is the home of PKF in the Midlands, providing a range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services to businesses of all sizes. The company has offices in key locations across the Midlands, including Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham and Ashbourne.

In October 2022, the PKF network was recognised among the best UK tax advisory firms for domestic and international private client when it ranked 17^th in eprivateclient’s annual ‘Top Accountancy Firms 2022’ listing. Also in 2022, PKF Smith Cooper promoted four to tax partner and hired 12 new recruits, including a dedicated capital allowances expert and an R&D specialist.

The tax team’s achievements continue to grow in 2023 and last month PKF Smith Cooper was announced as a finalist for ‘Best Tax Practice in a Regional Firm’ in Tolley’s prestigious annual Taxation Awards.

Gary Devonshire, Tax Advisory Partner at PKF Smith Cooper, commented: “I am really happy to recruit a professional of Dean’s experience and stature and he is a key recruit in our private client advisory business. Dean brings with him a wealth of experience in several key areas that our clients need to have on their radar as part of their personal and family wealth strategies.

“Dean’s key areas of focus will include IHT and will planning, trust and family investment company establishment, pre-sale tax planning, school and university fee planning, and property and personal investment company planning. Dean’s skill in delivering the above services will complement the skills of our existing advisory specialists to create a rounded advisory offering for our clients and assist the tax advisory team in continuing its rapid growth.”

Dean Castledine, Private Client Director at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “I am excited to be joining PKF Smith Cooper as Private Client Director and look forward to working with my new colleagues and using my specialisms and expertise to assist our clients in achieving their personal and family goals. I am impressed by the helpful and inclusive attitude of the partners and staff and look forward to a long and successful career at the firm as it continues its growth plan.”

Notes to Editors

An ambitious business and multi award-winning firm, we are the home of PKF in the Midlands. The region’s leading firm of trusted accountants and business advisors, we operate across key geographies in Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, and Ashbourne.

Through our membership of PKF International, the large network of legally independent accounting firms and 11th largest network here in the UK, we are at the forefront of compliance regulations and specialise in providing high quality solutions.

Working in unison with PKF member firms across the world, we blend local expertise and extensive territorial knowledge to provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services in line with the expectations and needs of the market.

For press queries, get in touch with marketing@pkfsmithcooper.com.