Expertise: Expatriate Tax, Private Clients. Oliver is the sole expat tax advisor on www.expatfocus.com

Work and clients: Oliver works on a variety of expatriate clients. Some are large multinationals with secondees in 30 or more different countries, who need help to manage large and diverse expatriate population. Others may have one or two executives appointed to senior positions abroad who require tax planning. When employees are seconded overseas, companies and secondees are often surprised by the complexities and red tape that can follow. Oliver was personally seconded to Poland for 6 months and so he has experienced "a warts and all" experience of living abroad. This definitely helps him to better understand assignees' issues.

The route to Shipleys: Oliver worked in Arthur Andersen’s expat teams for over 10 years before taking an expatriate advisory position with Ernst & Young in 2007. He joined Shipleys as a principal in 2010.

Memberships: Member of the Association of Taxation Technicians

Aim:

"To help clients relocate their people across national borders without disruption to their business."

Most entertaining deal or case:

“Within the first few minutes of a meeting to discuss a forthcoming tax audit, my Japanese client took exception to the tax inspector’s comments about their expatriate payroll. My client was offended and angrily demanded "how dare you!". I called an early coffee break to calm down both sides, and went on to chair a very constructive meeting which produced a great result for my client."

Proudest professional moments:

“Retaining a major US client who, as a result of poor service, was on the cusp of leaving the firm I worked for at the time. I inherited this situation from a colleague and led the fightback to retain the client. We totally changed the client's experience of our tax team. I took some new ideas and new ways of thinking to the buyers in the US and ultimately we secured a new three year contract with them.”

What I like about my job:

“Finding practical tax solutions which avoid wasting time or money.”

Interests outside work:

Oliver is often dipping into the Heslop family tree, looking for scandal. He found out that his grandfather Alan was a HM tax inspector in the 1940's - he's not sure if he would like him working for the other side! If Oliver can’t fit in a trip to Birmingham to watch Aston Villa, he’ll settle for Reading FC at the Madejski stadium.