Leicester-based tax consultancy and SSAS administration specialists, WestBridge Group has further strengthened its team following the appointment of Matt Gardiner, Hugo Witts and Sian Shade.
Matt and Hugo join WestBridge SSAS as account managers having previously worked in similar roles at Mattioli Woods. Sian joins WestBridge Tax as a senior associate having previously worked at Grant Thornton.
The new appointments are part of an ongoing strategy of growth which recently saw WestBridge Group acquire the employees, clients, and assets of Rowanmoor Executive Pensions Limited’s (REPL) book of 3,500 small self-administered schemes (SSAS), for an undisclosed sum. Following the acquisition of the REPL book, the firm now has offices in Salisbury and Bolton.
Matt said: “As well as carrying out SSAS administration on behalf of a portfolio of clients I am looking forward to being responsible for mentoring new starters and helping with the ongoing training of established team members.”
In his spare time Matt plays guitar in a band, and is also season ticket holder at Leicester City. He also coaches a local girls football team as well as being their Safeguarding Officer.
Hugo also lives in Leicester and has a BSc Economics and Politics and a Diploma in regulated financial advice. He said: “I enjoy working directly with clients and this will role give me an opportunity to look after my own pension clients whilst also adopting a pro-active approach to using systems to submit reporting information.”
In his spare time Hugo plays American Football for the Leicester Falcons #63, and was part of the squad that won the Division 1 National Championship in 2018.
Sian is part way through gaining her Chartered Taxation Adviser qualifications having already passed her AAT. She also has a Graduate Diploma (Law) and a BSc (Hons) Biochemistry.
In her new role, Sian will be working as part of a team working on tax advisory projects to advise companies and individuals on the tax implications of various transactions and proposing tax efficient solutions.
She said: “I chose to join WestBridge Tax as they are a recognised provider of quality tax advice and I will get the opportunity to be involved in high quality and challenging projects. The company offers the perfect mix of experience and breadth of knowledge whilst also retaining the personal approach and feel of a smaller firm.”
In her spare time Sian enjoys travelling and exploring new places, with weekends mostly spent supporting the various sporting activities her children participate in such as football matches and athletics meetings.
