Tax talent in transition
The regional rise of tax expertise
As the UK tax landscape undergoes rapid reform, from the abolition of the non-dom regime to rising NICs and VAT changes, Yorkshire, the North West, and the Midlands are emerging as strategic growth hubs for tax talent. While London remains a major player, regional hiring is accelerating, with vacancy growth in these areas outpacing national averages.
For firms based in these regions, this isn’t just a trend, it’s a competitive advantage.
What's driving demand in the regions?
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Corporate Tax Expansion
- Corporate tax roles are booming across Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and surrounding areas. Firms are decentralising their advisory teams, creating new opportunities in international tax, real estate tax, and financial services, from Assistant Manager to Director level.
VAT and Indirect Tax Shortages
- VAT reform is fuelling demand for indirect tax specialists, yet firms are struggling to secure talent, especially at Manager and Senior Manager levels. Candidates with HMRC experience or advisory backgrounds are in high demand.
Private Client Growth
- The end of the non-dom regime is prompting high-net-worth clients to seek urgent advice. Boutique and mid-tier firms in the North and Midlands are expanding their private client teams, with strong demand for professionals experienced in trusts, IHT, and offshore structuring.
Transfer Pricing & M&A Tax
- Cross-border deal activity is rising, and firms are hiring for transfer pricing and M&A tax roles to support complex transactions.
What employers should be doing now
To stay competitive in these regions, tax-focused employers must:
- Audit their talent pipeline for gaps in international tax, VAT, and private client advisory
- Engage passive candidates with regional ties or relocation potential
- Offer hybrid flexibility to attract talent from neighbouring cities
- Invest in upskilling for advisory-led roles
- Explore partnering with specialist recruiters who understand the local market dynamics
How we can help
At Marks Sattin, we specialise in tax recruitment across the UK. Whether you're scaling your corporate tax team, building out private client capabilities, or navigating VAT reform, we offer:
Strategic market intelligence: Stay ahead with real-time insights on salary trends, offer dynamics, and regional benchmarks, powered by our latest Market & Salary Guides.
Recruitment that fits your business: Whether you're hiring permanently, seeking interim support, or building a contract team, we tailor every search to your operational needs and growth goals.
Culture-driven hiring: We go beyond the CV, evaluating both technical capability and cultural alignment to ensure long-term success and team cohesion.
Ready to strengthen your Tax team?
In today’s fast-changing tax environment - from VAT reforms and R&D relief changes to ESG disclosure requirements - businesses need more than just compliance. You need tax professionals who can protect your organisation, uncover efficiencies, and help you plan strategically for the future.
Whether you're hiring now or planning ahead, we’re here to help you build a future-ready tax function.
Get in touch
In today’s fast-changing tax environment - from VAT reforms and R&D relief changes to ESG disclosure requirements - businesses need more than just compliance. You need tax professionals who can protect your organisation, uncover efficiencies, and help you plan strategically for the future.
Whether you're hiring now or planning ahead, we’re here to help you build a future-ready tax function.
