The newly created role, effective from 1 January 2025, provides dedicated Board-level responsibility for supporting and expanding the TaxAssist Accountants franchise network, which remains a key part of The TaxAssist Group's wider portfolio of businesses.
James has been a member of The TaxAssist Group Board since 2016, previously serving as Group Business Development Director. His appointment comes as TaxAssist Accountants enters its 30th year of operating as a franchise.
James said: “I’m excited to be taking on this new role in the 30th year that TaxAssist Accountants has been successfully operating as a franchise. Having been a part of the business for over 25 years it was a natural step forward to put my energy into continuing the growth and development of the business I care deeply about.
“TaxAssist Accountants has grown year on year through recessions, periods of high inflation, movements in interest rates, a pandemic and spikes in unemployment, and we believe the key reason for the network’s success is the strength of the franchise model, the support teams and the energy and effort the network put into driving their practices forward. The franchisor/franchisee relationship is unique, working together for mutual benefit, and the franchised businesses are at the core of everything we do as a Group.
“Our accountants look to us for development, support and growth at all times and we always aim to generate value for money support and services along with nationally obtained preferrable rates for software and IT.
“I look forward to driving further expansion of the network and working with my fellow directors to deliver initiatives that will help and support each and every franchisee to build successful and profitable businesses.”
James has spent his full-time career with TaxAssist Accountants, joining the business after completing an honours degree in Business Information Systems.
Over more than 25 years, he has held a variety of roles across the organisation, beginning in digital development and support before moving into marketing and business development.
His career with TaxAssist has included supporting the evolution of the TaxAssist Accountants brand, contributing to the growth of the network through the resale of accounting practices and helping to generate thousands of new business leads across the UK.
James has also worked closely with other Group companies and franchised businesses internationally, supporting TaxAssist operations in Ireland, Canada and Australia.
In his new role, James will focus on the continued growth and development of the franchise network, working with fellow Group directors and Support Centre teams to support franchisees and ensure the network remains a central part of The TaxAssist Group's long-term growth strategy.
January 2025
With a detailed plan for the growth and evolution of the TaxAssist brand, plus the addition of new products and services, these are exciting times for the TaxAssist network.
Franchisee Case Studies
Kam & Sejal Sira
Raza Syed
Bukky Shonola
Hannah Campbell
Jaz Grewal
Karen Goncalves
Accreditations & ethics
The Group abides by the ethics of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and works closely with all relevant accountancy and tax professional bodies and institutions. TaxAssist Accountants is also a member of the Irish Franchise Association and the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA). In 2025, The TaxAssist Group earned a Great Place to Work 'Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services' certification, a prestigious award based entirely on what current employees say about their experience of working at The TaxAssist Group.
