About Us

Rob Burton Director

An indirect tax professional with over 40 years of experience. Rob began his indirect tax career with HMRC providing VAT assurance on regional and multinational businesses. He concluded it with the HMRC Internal Audit Division reporting directly to the Commissioners of HMRC.

He joined Arthur Andersen in 1998, specialising in providing VAT advice to an extensive portfolio of clients ranging from small to medium sized businesses through to large multinational FTSE 100 and Global 500 clients.  He subsequently worked for 3 of the top 4 global professional services firms, including Deloitte and now has over 20 years of experience in the private sector. For 10 years, Rob has specialised in providing indirect tax advice almost exclusively to a range of Health sector clients and, as a result, has a deep understanding of the care industry and holds strong relationships with local authority finance teams, CCGs and key relationships with other professionals associated with CQC and RQIA in Northern Ireland.

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Rachael Kay Executive Assistant

An administrative professional with almost 15 years’ experience, Rachael joined Vat Solutions in August 2022 from a global law firm having worked in a variety of business support roles during her time there.  Rachael’s role as Executive PA mainly involves providing dedicated support to Rob and the senior management team.

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Maxine Havenhand Finance Manager

After starting her career working at HM Customs & Excise, Maxine moved into the private sector in 2005.

Maxine is a qualified bookkeeper with over 15 years of bookkeeping and accounts experience. Before joining VAT Solutions, she worked for several different employers, ranging from sole traders to a national company with multiple sites.

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Kelly Symonds Senior Indirect Tax Manager

Before being asked to join the VAT Solutions team, Kelly worked for 30 years as an employee of HMRC, primarily as a VAT Inspector working with a large and diverse range of businesses ranging from small and medium enterprises to large and complex organisations with varied income streams and intricate VAT liability issues.

Kelly has extensive experience in analysing and interpreting VAT legislation and HMRC’s related books of guidance, obtaining a BTEC diploma in Advanced VAT Assurance and a number of HMRC Tax Professional qualifications. Kelly has a real passion for health and fitness, being a keen runner for over 30 years and having completed various races, most notably finishing the first lady in The White Peak Marathon.

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John O'Hare Indirect Tax Manager

Before joining VAT Solutions, John worked in numerous indirect tax roles within HMRC. Having successfully passed a BTEC Advanced Diploma in VAT Assurance, he spent 15 years as a VAT inspector carrying out audits on businesses of all sizes and sectors across the North of England. During this, he became familiar with most accounting systems, from simple manual ledgers to bespoke computerized packages, the challenges and opportunities presented by each and the analysis of the various reports produced.

John has a comprehensive understanding of VAT liability and legislation, its practical application in a wide range of businesses and the ability to explain the most complex areas in a clear and straightforward manner tailored to the customer’s needs.

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Julia Lazar Business Administrator

After completing her post-graduate studies in Management at the University of Sheffield, Julia’s career has focused on the finance sector. She joined VAT Solutions in 2012 and has built strong relationships with our clients over the years. Julia is a vital part of the VAT Solutions team, providing administrative support to all business areas.

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Heidi Wragg Business Development Manager

Heidi has been part of the VAT Solutions team for a number of years and specialises in business development, managing a portfolio of clients across the Healthcare sector in the UK. Heidi and her team are dedicated to helping businesses succeed and committed to delivering services that meet each client’s needs, promoting and encouraging a wider understanding of the importance of VAT as a commercial planning strategy. She has built strong working relationships with all major key stakeholders in the sector including LAs, NHS Trusts, CCGs, University Health Boards commissioners, regulated bodies: CQC, RQIA & CIW and HMRC.

With over 30 years’ experience in industry, having owned and operated two manufacturing firms within that time, Heidi is aware of the challenges and constraints affecting business growth and development. Her expertise includes Kingscrest VAT recovery claims, a historic one-off claim opportunity, and in more recent years, advising businesses of the financial benefits of contract restructuring for care providers, effectively allowing them to recover VAT on an ongoing and retrospective basis.

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Cory Edwards Client Account Executive

Cory graduated from Brunel University in 2014 with a degree in Business Management. That same year, he secured an internship with a leading Personal Branding Agency and then worked within several organisations under that same umbrella. Cory is now the Business Manager for Vat Solutions, ensuring not only the smooth running of the day-to-day office functions but also ensuring that the various elements of our business are aligned in terms of a seamless process and delivery to our clients from our technical VAT, Project/Account Management and Novations teams.

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Rachael Gibbons Business Development Assistant

Rachael’s primary role is to support the business development team by advancing our services within the healthcare sector, in addition to maintaining our strong relationships with existing clients. Since qualifying as a nurse in 1987, Rachael has worked within the care sector for the past 30 years, gaining first-hand experience in both nursing and administrative roles at all levels. This experience is key to understanding our clients’ needs & inevitably, their businesses, from the ground up and tailoring a response accordingly. Aside from her sound knowledge of our full range of services, Rachael’s courteous and helpful approach towards current and potential clients is always well received.

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Rebecca Hargreaves VAT Consultant

Becky joined the team in 2015 after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Urban Studies. This provided her with an excellent understanding of the rules & regulations associated with the planning industry.

Having been with the company for many years, her role as a Senior VAT Analyst means she has developed a keen and fully-rounded knowledge of the sector. She is currently responsible for liaising with local authorities throughout the UK and providing specialist indirect tax analysis.

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George Hall VAT Consultant

As a student of Linguistics at the University of Sheffield, George has recently transitioned into an Accounts Manager position at VAT solutions.

Previously George has worked in various customer-facing and administration roles, which alongside his degree, have allowed him to develop his analytical and interpersonal skills. George is now looking to gain knowledge and experience in the tax sector.

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Thomas Hague VAT Consultant

Tom studied at the Leeds Business School, graduating in 2016 with a degree in Business and Management. During his studies, Tom spent a year in the US working for a multinational corporation as part of a sandwich year.

This involved working in different departments throughout the business, with a critical focus on developing investment opportunities with clients. Following graduation, Tom worked in the hospitality industry, providing financial support to events across the UK, helping him develop strong analytical skills in finance.

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Clare Newboult Business Consultant (Health and Social Care)

Clare has specialised in business development in the care sector for over fifteen years. Having graduated from the University of Birmingham, she began her career in European finance before moving to a national consultancy with a social care portfolio.

From there, she moved on to concentrate on business growth for smaller operations supplying the health and social care sector – ranging from regional to national operators – and exploring development opportunities and routes to market. She has worked closely with multiple cross-sector representative organisations, including care associations, charities and national bodies. She is keen to encourage and facilitate shared best practices and knowledge within the health and social care community. As part of her position within the VAT Solutions team, she is working to promote and encourage a wider understanding within the care sector of the role, and importance, of VAT in its commercial planning strategy.

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