UK-based chartered accountancy and business advisory practice Clive Owen has appointed Hydeam Sulton as VAT partner.

In his new role, Sulton will lead the company’s VAT and indirect tax offering.

Clive Owen joint managing partner Simon Hook said: “We are delighted to welcome Hydeam to the firm, whose impressive experience and expertise will build on our existing range of services and provide clients with an additional, niche offering.

“Hydeam’s appointment is a significant addition to the partnership and further strengthens our position as one of the North’s leading independent accountancy practices.”

Sulton has held roles across government, practice and industry. He spent several years with HMRC, where he was most recently head of tax professionalism.

His experience also includes senior positions with large independent companies and the ‘big four’, as well as an in-house role at a FTSE 100 business, with responsibility for VAT across the EU.

He joins Clive Owen from a national independent practice, where he was tax partner and head of VAT and indirect tax, and also served as lead office partner in Newcastle.

Across his career, Sulton has advised clients on complex VAT matters including saving or recovering substantial VAT sums, managing HMRC checks and investigations, and addressing VAT risk.

In his new position, he will focus on VAT and indirect tax work, helping clients manage and optimise their VAT position.

He also aims to grow the company’s VAT and indirect tax practice over time, which is expected to create additional roles.

Sulton said: “I am delighted to join Clive Owen at such an exciting time of sustained, organic growth.

“The firm’s values really resonate with my own experience and approach to client service, particularly its focus on people.”