Accountants grow private equity tax offering with partner appointment

Leading audit, accountancy, tax, and advisory firm Bishop Fleming has appointed another experienced tax partner to its Cheltenham office, bolstering the firm’s private equity tax offering.

Graham Charlton, previously Tax Director at PwC, has over 19 years of experience in accountancy, advising numerous private equity-backed businesses throughout their lifecycle, preparing clients for sale, and guiding them through the sale process and into the next lifecycle.

Graham will head the private equity tax division at Bishop Fleming.

He will focus his expertise on the firm’s management advisory services for private equity-backed clients and ensure that all clients receive consistent and experienced service.

Graham said: “I’m excited to join Bishop Fleming as part of its fast-growing team in Cheltenham at such a pivotal time for the firm.

“With its commitment to expanding its private equity tax offering and deal volumes expected to pick up significantly over the next calendar year, this is a fantastic opportunity to help shape a specialist service that delivers real value to private equity-backed businesses and their management teams.

“The firm's supportive environment and growth ambitions were key factors in my decision to join, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success."

Partner and head of Corporate Tax, Chris Walklett, welcomed Graham to the team, adding: “Graham’s appointment is the next step in Bishop Fleming’s ambitious growth plans.

“The opening of our Cheltenham office in 2023, the recent expansion into the Midlands with a new Birmingham office, and subsequent investment in expanding our partner group are signals of our intent to expand the breadth of our capacity and capability with specialist expertise.  

“Graham was the perfect candidate to strengthen our tax team presence and expand the range of specialist services we can offer to our private clients across the country.

“We’re really looking forward to working with him during this exciting journey for Bishop Fleming.”

Following Stephen Patey’s arrival in January as audit partner, Graham’s appointment is the second of four partner hires planned in the first half of 2025 alone.

Bishop Fleming is a patron of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and embarked on an expansion into Birmingham earlier this year.

Pictured: Graham Charlton and Chris Walklett