Non-audit tax advisory firm WTS UK has appointed Brad Ashton as a partner, joining the firm from RSM.
Ashton will be responsible for building its customs and global trade practice. During his time at RSM, he founded and grew the firm’s customs capability over 10 years, helped clients navigate the requirements and obligations of moving goods across borders, including the UK’s move to its own customs legislation and procedures following Brexit.
He brings more than 35 years’ experience in delivering complex customs solutions, controversy support and compliance programmes for businesses trading internationally. At WTS UK, he will be tasked with growing the customs and global trade practice and work with clients to create future-ready compliance programmes.
The firm has also appointed Suleman Ali as a director to help develop its global compliance and reporting practice. He joins from EY, where he was a tax director in a global role serving large multinational clients. Before EY, Suleman spent seven years as EMEA tax director at Mondelēz International.
Jeff Soar, partner and chief executive at WTS UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Brad and Suleman on board. Both are exceptional advisers who will play key roles in building out two important and in-demand practice areas for us.”
Brad Ashton, partner at WTS UK, said: “I am very happy to join a firm which is taking a different approach to providing tax solutions without conflicts and, perhaps uniquely, assisting clients in developing first-class customs solutions using the growing range of technology-driven tools. I look forward to working closely with WTS Customs colleagues in Germany and the wider team on building our Customs and Global Trade offering.”