In this edition of our “Meet the Expert” series, we speak with Tax Director, Mike Lea, who shares his extensive career journey in accountancy, the advice that has shaped his approach to tax and how he spends his time outside of the office.

Tell us about your experience

My accountancy career began back in 1984 with KPMG in Manchester, where I trained in audit before moving into corporate tax in 1987.

I qualified as both an ACA and CTA and over the years worked in Huddersfield and Newcastle before returning to the South West in 1996 for family reasons.

I joined Solomon Hare in Clifton as Director of Corporate and International Tax, becoming a Partner in 1999.

Following mergers and moves, I eventually became Managing Partner of Smith & Williamson’s Bristol office in 2008 and remained there until 2019. After a brief period establishing PKF Francis Clark’s Bristol office, I took early retirement due to ill health.

By last year, I had made a full recovery and was ready to return to work – as odd as it may sound, I missed tax!

At Milsted Langdon my role covers Bristol, Taunton and Yeovil, combining technical tax work with business development. I’m really enjoying being back, meeting clients and raising the firm’s profile.

What one key piece of advice would you share?

One of the KPMG Tax Partners once told me never to let the “tax tail wag the commercial dog.” It is advice that has stayed with me.

Tax is important, but it should not override commercial common sense. Sometimes the right decision overall is not the most tax-efficient one and it is vital to keep that bigger picture in mind.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

I have always been involved in charitable work across the South West and currently serve as Treasurer of The Grand Appeal (Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Foundation) and of Bristol Bears Community Foundation. I am also a Director of Glastonbury FM, our local community radio station. When I’m not doing that, you will most likely find me at the County Ground in Taunton watching cricket or at Ashton Gate cheering on the Bears or Bristol City.