In our latest ‘Meet the Expert’, Martin Johnson, General Practice Partner, tells us about his career progression since joining ML as a trainee, why working as a team is important, and shares what he gets up to in his spare time outside of work.

Tell us about your experience

I started in the Payroll department, then after a year I moved to the General Practice department and started my studies.

Having spent a number of years studying, I gained both AAT and ACCA qualifications, and then began to advance my career and joined the management team in the Taunton office.

Over the past seven years, I have progressed within the firm from Assistant Manager through to Partner with a portfolio of owner-managed businesses, as well as a portfolio of tax and agricultural clients.

I really enjoy getting out and meeting people – be it clients or contacts – so I enjoy attending various local networking events – including our own business breakfast at the Somerset County Cricket Ground.

What discussions are you having with your clients at the moment?

Following the Autumn Budget, I’ve had many discussions with my clients – particularly those in the Agri sector – about upcoming changes that may affect them.

The announced changes in Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) have got a lot of family farms worried about what the future holds for them.

In practice, this means businesses that previously would have been passed to the next generation free of tax, may now have an IHT liability. We are advising our clients to revisit their succession plans including reviewing their current business structures and wills and consider their potential IHT liability.

Another thing for businesses to factor in are the changes to National Insurance and National Living Wage from April 2025. This could be a massive cost for some businesses, and it will need to be considered in forecasting and planning.

Outside of work, what are your hobbies?

I like to be outdoors and getting things done. I play hockey most of the year, both for Taunton Vale Hockey Club as well as Masters Hockey for the West of England. Playing this and having a two-year-old son tends to keep me pretty busy throughout the year!

My wife and I also have a flock of sheep which we tend to. My son loves getting out and being with the sheep as well so it’s an enjoyable thing to do as a family, even if it can be very full-on at times. Looking ahead, we’ll be lambing the sheep in the Spring which will be a very busy time, but it does make you feel like the winter is passing when you see the lambs skipping around and playing in the sun!