York based accountancy firm Garbutt + Elliott has appointed a new Business Tax Director to their team.

The appointment of Steve Holmes further expands the firm’s client services and brings its tax team personnel to 18.

Mr Holmes has 13 years experience within the tax sector, and joins the firm having previously held senior tax management consulting roles, specialising in Research and Development (R&D) tax relief.

His extensive experience helping clients with a range of tax saving ideas is an important addition to Garbutt + Elliott’s Leeds office and sees the continued growth of the firm’s tax service across Yorkshire.

Mr Holmes also has extensive experience implementing various types of share schemes, to help clients incentivise, reward and retain their key employees.

Rob Durrant-Walker, Head of Business Tax said: “I have worked with Steve previously and am delighted that he has joined our tax team.

“He has great general tax knowledge with a sensible and commercial approach that our clients will appreciate.

“We already save our clients millions of pounds of tax each year through R&D and have a perfect R&D claims record with HMRC.

“The addition of Steve to our team will further enhance our existing R&D offering for innovative companies.”

Welcoming Mr Holmes to the firm, Garbutt + Elliott’s managing partner, Russell Turner, said: “Steve has vast experience within the tax sector and is highly regarded for his specific areas of expertise.

“We are thrilled with his appointment, which highlights our ongoing commitment to offer business owners the best possible support across the board from the best possible people.”