Burges Salmon LLP is well-known in the South West market for the strength of its corporate practice, with the firm’s corporate tax team forming a key element of this offering. The group regularly assists prominent UK clients, including plcs, with the tax aspects of high-value transactions involving companies and capital assets. The team also frequently receives instructions from international clients looking to invest in UK assets. Ian Carnochan leads the practice and has expertise in complex, cross-border tax matters, while John Barnett heads the firm’s private client team and also handles corporate tax. Hilary Barclay was promoted to partner in March 2022 and offers clients experience across M&A, reorganisations and equity fundraisings, and senior associate Jessica Chesterfield is developing a practice spanning the financial services, real estate and charity sectors. Former practice head Sarah Lane departed the firm in July 2021 to join Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

Osborne Clarke LLP has 'good breadth and depth of expertise' in the corporate tax space, with partners in the team working alongside the market-leading corporate and funds practices to handle complex tax issues. The group’s work in transactional tax includes providing advice to both the buy and sell-sides of deals, and it is adept at handling cross-border transactions. The practice also has deep expertise in advising on matters involving investment funds, including the establishment, restructuring and closure of funds; it also handles investments by and into funds. Share incentives are another notable area of expertise for the practice. The team is jointly led by Tracey Wright, who also heads the overall UK tax group, and Erika Jupe, who serves as head of international tax. Associate director Elizabeth Shanahan is another key figure to note in the team and frequently takes a leading role on matters involving investment funds.

The corporate tax team at Ashfords LLP is continuing to develop a reputation for advising on the tax aspects of reorganisations, including demergers. The group is also regularly instructed on M&A deals, where it acts for both buy and sell-side clients, as well as providing tax advice relating to the establishment of investment funds. Angus Bauer leads the team from the firm’s Exeter office, with Nicola Manclark another name to note; Manclark’s expertise includes advising on corporate and real estate transactions as well as on employee incentive plans.

The corporate team at Foot Anstey has experience across contentious and non-contentious tax, offering clients expertise in cross-border tax issues. The practice regularly assists on the tax aspects of M&A deals, acting for buyers and sellers and drawing on the wider firm’s strength in corporate transactions. The team also advises corporate clients on structuring the employee incentives in a tax efficient manner. John Pindard and Anna Parker jointly lead the team; Pindard has 'very good technical knowledge' and experience in handling the tax elements of a range of corporate transactions, while Parker is a private wealth specialist who is also highly active in corporate tax.

At TLT, the Bristol office provides broad advice to clients on the tax aspects of corporate and real estate transactions, joint ventures and commercial agreements. In addition to acting for companies, the group is instructed by private equity funds to advise on their investments and acquisitions. The team acts on matters involving sectors such as energy, leisure and retail. Ben Watson leads the corporate tax and incentives team, with Mark Braude also noted for his work for clients including real estate developers, companies, individual shareholders and PE funds.

The tax team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP frequently acts alongside its corporate teams in Bristol and Southampton to handle the tax aspects of M&A transactions. Renewable energy is a key area of focus for the team; it advises on the acquisition and disposal of energy companies and SPVs as well as on joint ventures. The group is also regularly engaged on transactions involving private equity. Managing associate Ronan Lowney serves as practice head.