Iain Wright decided to launch his own tax consultancy rather than pursue the next career milestone in professional services as a Partner. He was questioned and faced doubters, but he backed himself and launched Claritas Tax in 2012 with a dream of growing it into a larger business. Regarded as the UK’s largest independent tax consultancy, it now has over 70 employees, which will increase after a recent acquisition.

This episode covers the journey so far, provides more information about the firm, its culture, and also discusses the importance of hiring and retaining talent for a growing firm.

TIMINGS OF EPISODE

00:00-03:31: Introduction and background

03:32- 06:10: Who are Claritas Tax?

06:11-11:06: Why did Iain set up Claritas rather than pursue Partnership for an already established firm?

11:07-17:49 The journey of Claritas Tax (the first 1-3 years) and why some of the early hires have been loyal till this day?

17:50-19:24: Executing the strategy of growing Claritas Tax in the early days

19:25-22:45: Iain’s approach to recruitment and how it has evolved

22:46-30:44: Building the culture at Claritas Tax and the process of hiring and retaining talent

30:45-32:47: What might surprise people about a boutique firm like Claritas compared to a large established firm?

32:48-END: Professional and personal goals for the next 12 months

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Jamie Grant is Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for Scotland at Barclays Bank. He is also a Non-Executive Director (NED) for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

In this episode, we hear how Jamie took an opportunity to be part of growing Barclays in Scotland over 20 years ago, when it barely had a presence in comparison to having 7,000 employees now in Scotland. He discusses how working in professional services can develop you, how to gain clients in a competitive landscape and how he built successful teams.

We also touch on Jamie’s first NED role, including the differences between working as an executive versus as a non-executive and advice for others who are seeking their first NED role.

TIMINGS OF EPISODE

00:00-02:58: Introduction and background

02:59-06:55: From Ernst & Young’s mailroom to Trainee Accountant

06:56-08:45: Transferring to South Africa with EY to management consulting

08:46-10:22: How a career in Professional Services can develop you

10:23-17:44: Moving from Bank of Scotland to grow the Barclays brand in Scotland

17:45-22:50: How do you successfully gain clients in a competitive market

22:51-24:17: Discussion on soft skills and creating a great culture with people with different strengths

24:18-29:07: How Jamie built successful teams

29:08-34:15: More on his role as Non-Executive Director for the Commonwealth Games for 2026 and advice for those seeking their first NED role

34:16-37:12: Professional and personal goals for the next 12 months

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Catherine McManus is a Tax Partner and Head of Tax at UK Accounting firm, Wbg, who were backed by private equity firm N4 Partners in 2024.

Topics discussed include advice for public speaking at events, her journey to being a female leader and why there needs to be equality at all levels, not just at senior levels. Catherine also discusses the transition from working for an independent company to being private equity owned.

OUTLINE OF TIMINGS

00:00-08:15: Introduction and career journey

08:16-11:15: Insight into winning 40 under 40 ‘one to watch’ by the Tax Journal

11:16-16:19: Catherine’s career experience past and present of public speaking and advice for others

16:20-21:01: Discussion about a complex tax case that stands out from her career

21:31-: Discussion around a recent report that the BIG4 are missing female Partner targets

25:13-28:28: Managing a balance between work and life

28:29-32:25: How has the transition been with Wbg becoming private equity owned

32:26-33:32: Professional and personal goals

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