James Walker

Spear’s Review

‘The UK’s tax regime is complex and ever-evolving, so I aim to be my clients’ guide,’ says James Walker, a private client tax partner at Haysmacintyre.

Walker began his career in the Channel Islands, qualifying as both a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. He describes his approach as being ‘whatever the client would like me to be’ as a tax adviser, emphasising prudence and efficiency. 

‘If that means someone who is in the background merely as a service provider, then so be it,’ he says. ‘However, if that means someone who is more of a “friend” and trusted adviser, then I very much enjoy that role too. Either way, I hope to be someone they trust.’ 

Adviser Profile

Since leaving the University of Birmingham in 1996 and heading to Jersey to begin his career, James has specialised in UK tax as it may impact individuals (whether or not they are UK resident and/or UK domiciled), especially where non-UK resident trust/company structures are in place or may be helpful to navigate what is an incredibly complex and fluid system. 

James has found that his engineering background, combined with being a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser who spent the first 10 years of his career working in the Channel Islands for specialist UK tax teams within two of their largest ‘offshore’ fiduciary services providers, helps in analysing client situations, especially as regards ‘offshore’ trusts and their Civil Law equivalents (such as Foundations) and finding appropriate, practical and prudent solutions. 

As James deals with people’s personal wealth, he aims to build long-term relationships with his clients and their other advisers (including trustees, lawyers and financial / investment advisers) based on transparency and openness to try and remove some of the complexity around their personal tax affairs, giving them time to focus on what ultimately allows them and their family the comfort and freedom to enjoy their personal wealth. 

James’ clients include ‘offshore’ trustees holding longstanding family wealth and the beneficiaries through to individuals who have created their own wealth either by investment or entrepreneurship or are in the process of doing so. 

James’ work ranges from UK tax compliance, through advice to individuals (e.g., coming to / leaving / or investing in the UK) and trustees (e.g., how best to provide distributions and benefits to beneficiaries), to complex disclosures and negotiations with HMRC on domicile and the remittance basis.