With a dynamic career history and expertise gained across many niche and intriguing specialisms, Mark Dawes joined Wilder Coe in April 2024 and is a valuable addition to the tax department in his new role as Tax Partner.
We sat down with him and learned more about the man behind his many talents.
Mark Dawes joined his first accountancy firm in January 1991 after personal circumstances disrupted his original plans to attend university. Becoming an accountant was never his aspiration, but an early introduction to taxation piqued his interest.
No two cases are the same when looking at people’s affairs
“I was curious about who was earning the most money and how they managed to earn such high amounts. Many of our clients were entertainers, and I would sometimes come across well-known names. This knowledge made me realise that a career in this field was what I wanted. After a brief trip travelling across the United States, I decided that a career in tax was the right path for me. In 1995, I joined a new firm as a Personal Tax Junior and completed my ATT.”
“I began specialising in working with barristers and started giving Continuing Professional Development (CPD) lectures on tax and national insurance in courts, as these areas can be quite quirky. Speaking to professionals who argue for a living was intimidating, but the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. This experience also allowed me to introduce new clients. When I joined the firm, we had nine barrister clients, and by the time I left, that number had grown to 450.
Another interesting business area I had involved ballroom dancers. I represented professional dancers on the early season of a well-known Saturday Night television show. The dancers were fabulous and flamboyant, and their line of work had many nuances that intrigued me, marking my initial foray into the sports field.
Their international competitions exposed me to various tax regimes, and I quickly realised that tax is both complicated and fascinating. Whenever a new dancer client came in, I was eager to learn which country they would be competing in. I admit, I have a bit of a geeky side, so I was keen to explore the different tax regulations in each place.”
After 11 years, Mark transitioned to a media and entertainment specialist firm based in Aldwych, where he encountered some famous personalities. “Working with clients of that calibre was a privilege, each with unique tax situations. Many well-known actors had royalties or overseas contracts, and I found the entire field fascinating.”
No matter where I went, something different would arise.
Following a brief period at a North London firm focused on the property sector, Mark joined a small practice with around 20 employees.
“Although I ended up being handed everything with the word ‘tax’ on for five years, the people were absolutely wonderful, and I really loved working there. I was involved in the sale of Premier League Football Club, which you would not expect from a firm of this size. There was one time when a friend and I pulled an all-nighter, fuelled by Red Bull for 48 hours, as we negotiated with HMRC to finalise with a £94 million profit and no tax to pay!”
“The work at my next firm, Barnes Roffe, was more diverse than anything I had encountered before. In addition to the tax responsibilities, I managed VAT and various company secretarial matters. It was a steep learning curve, and I gained a lot of experience there, especially surrounded by a wide range of management styles.”
Mark Dawes, a lifelong Londoner, is not limited to the city and eagerly embraces travel whenever possible, thanks to his extensive international client base.
A series of life events led Mark to take a year off to travel around Asia and India, followed by a month in France visiting friends. However, a timely call from a recruiter offered him a chance to return to the UK and embrace another new role that allowed him to expand his network.
“It is usually the tax professionals that people want to speak to at events. If we can secure some tax work, we might also gain the accounts. I love networking, so I decided to join this firm because they allowed me the flexibility to get out and do it. It was exhausting but a lot of fun. This role also provided the opportunity to work in a new specialisation, collaborating closely with the French community in London. I focused on non-Dom work post-Brexit, which became relevant for international sports individuals playing in the UK, generating numerous organic referrals in that area.”
It has been enjoyable since day one!
After spending some time as a Tax Consultant, Mark accepted an offer to join Wilder Coe’s growing partnership earlier this year and is now set on supporting the expansion of the tax department.
“To me, becoming a Partner is not just about self-interest; it is about considering the well-being of the entire team. You are responsible for others, and fostering a positive, stress-free environment is essential. I want to see my colleagues smiling and thriving in a fun and happy workplace.
I intend to assign some of the more complex tax returns to junior staff, supporting their development and collaborating with as many people as possible, so that no one misses learning opportunities or feels isolated.
I have experienced these benefits in previous firms, and as a people-oriented individual, I have taken the best practices from the various managers I have worked with over the years to achieve our team’s goals and desired outcomes.
“My immediate plan is to ensure the upcoming Tax Return season goes as smoothly as possible. Christmas typically does not exist for tax professionals, so we want to be in a strong position as we move into January. Embracing and enhancing AI in the tax department to identify opportunities for automating workflows, will also ensure we operate efficiently for our clients.”
Next year, I will continue to focus on developing my Sports, Media, and Entertainment specialisms, while expanding the tax team. Now that the Autumn Budget has been announced, I foresee a surge in work that will bring several challenges. If we face increases in taxation across various areas, we must prepare our clients to navigate potential pitfalls.
If you would like to congratulate Mark Dawes in his new role or arrange a time to discuss your tax matters, please get in touch here.
