Mark is an independent, senior, respected and well-liked finance professional. His preferred approach is to focus on the wider implications of business decisions rather than simply the short-term impact. Integrity is important to Mark who is an advocate of high standards of business conduct and of the need to manage risk in a commercial context. He has frequently written, spoken and advised on such topics.

Mark was elected Chairman of the ICAEW Tax Faculty from 2003-2005. During this time he was an ex-officio member of the Council of the Institute.  He also has ten years experience as Deputy Treasurer of a top 100 children’s Charity. This voluntary role requires him to take the Chair, in the absence of the treasurer, in his position as Deputy Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee.

Over a six-year period, from 1999, Mark represented the ICAEW in numerous discussions and debates with HMRC, HMT and other professional bodies. He continues to serve on internal committees and joint working parties with other professional bodies. In 2006 he chose to move away from the provision of tax advice to clients, preferring, as he approached the age of 50, to explore a more entrepreneurial, independent and varied career which includes mentoring and training other professional advisers.

Mark spent over 25 years advising on tax during which time he was a tax partner at Horwath Clark Whitehill and Lead tax partner of the professional practices team at BDO Stoy Hayward. He has twice been headhunted in part due to his profile and reputation in the profession.

In 2006 , as he approached the age of 50, Mark realised that he had stopped getting a buzz from giving tax advice. An entrepreneurial spark had been lit and he resolved to try something new.

“However, the profession has been so good to me over the years that I couldn’t walk away completely. And part of me missed the high profile role and responsibility I had when I was Chairman of the ICAEW Tax Faculty. I now feel I have regained that voice in my role as founder of the UK’s first independent network of tax advisers.”

Before establishing the Tax Advice Network Mark spent a number of years running the tax support for professionals team at WJB Chiltern and has been actively involved in a number of online communities.

“The entrepreneur inside of me was keen to build a new business that took advantage of modern technologies and facilities. I thought about the issues that accountants raised with me about what they liked and didn’t like about other tax support operations. It became clear that there was a place for a centrally branded and promoted facility that enabled accountants to obtain direct access to independent self employed tax advisers.”

His role within the Network does not take all his time and he is keen to provide valuable service to other organisations – in the public or private sector.

Essentially most of Mark’s current activities revolve around helping accountants and tax advisers to be more productive and successful. He also enjoys working with those who work with or would like to engage more with accountants and tax advisers.

“The Tax Advice Network fits in very nicely and gets a mention in most of my lectures and seminars.”

You can find out more through the FAQs and other pages of this website or contact Mark directly:

• M: 07769 692890
• T: 0845 003 8780
• E: Mark AT BookMarkLee.co.uk