Scotford
Scotford

Who I Help

Private businesses. Large Corporates. International Groups. Start-ups. Public Sector.

How I help

VAT Advisory. VAT Compliance. Customs Duties. Due Diligence.

Sectors/ support

Manufacturing & Industrial. Leisure, Retail & Hospitality. Energy. Health. Construction & Property. Public Sector.

“I’m committed to providing timely and accurate information.”

Gabrielle Scotford is an Indirect Tax Director based in our Edinburgh office, where she plays a key role in guiding clients through the complexities of indirect taxation. Her expertise covers various aspects of Indirect Tax, including HMRC audit assistance, M&A VAT advice, VAT registration obligations and VAT recovery. VAT, and Customs Duty, all of which can have significant financial implications for businesses.

With a strong focus on building trusted partnerships, Gabrielle ensures her clients are well-prepared to navigate VAT challenges efficiently. Her proactive approach and deep understanding of the regulatory landscape allow her to act as a vital extension of her clients’ teams, ensuring that tax decisions are seamlessly integrated into their broader business strategies.

Transparency helps us to deliver

“An ideal relationship with a client is one where I am seen as an extension of their team and can act as their go-to trusted advisor. By fostering this kind of partnership, I can stay informed of any transactions or business decisions that could have an indirect tax impact as early as possible. This enables me to offer proactive advice, helping my clients avoid potential tax issues before they arise, which is always more effective and cost-efficient than addressing them retroactively.

I’m committed to providing timely and accurate information and working closely with my clients to build genuine relationships. It’s important to me that I can simplify complex tax jargon and explain issues in clear, straightforward terms. This transparency helps us collaborate effectively, creating practical and tailored solutions that take into account the commercial priorities, deadlines, reputational risks, and tax authority relations that are crucial to their business.”

Everyone benefits from collaboration

“One of the most satisfying aspects of my work is the relationships I build with both my clients and colleagues. Getting to know my clients on a personal level allows me to truly understand their priorities and long-term goals. By identifying potential concerns early, I can help reduce their stress and allow them to focus on their core business activities, knowing they can rely on me for timely support. Clients appreciate that I’m always available, even at short notice, to offer guidance on urgent matters.

Similarly, fostering strong relationships with my colleagues is key to creating a positive and productive work environment. I believe in helping others reach their full potential by understanding what drives them and supporting their personal and professional growth. I believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their perspectives without fear of judgment. By encouraging diverse viewpoints and the challenge of ideas, we create stronger, more thoughtful outcomes. This openness leads to enthusiasm, a positive work culture, and increased productivity, benefiting both our clients and our team.”

Utilising a flexible approach

“I’m a firm believer that meeting clients face-to-face is a vital part of building these strong interpersonal connections. I find that casual conversations before diving into business discussions can help establish rapport, particularly when the relationship is still new.

That said, I also appreciate the flexibility that virtual meetings provide, especially when urgent issues arise. The ability to connect with clients across the country at a moment’s notice is a huge advantage in today’s hybrid working world, allowing us to tailor our approach to meet each client’s needs. The advancements we’ve seen in technology in recent years truly excite me, as they open up new ways to enhance our service offerings. I’m passionate about exploring how we can leverage these innovations to further improve the value we provide to our clients.”

Opportunities from challenges

“A key opportunity lies in raising awareness about the value of indirect taxes and encouraging board members and decision-makers to engage indirect tax experts from the outset of any new business decision or supply chain initiative. By incorporating specialist advice early in the process, businesses can proactively prevent unnecessary administrative burdens and avoid costly corrections later. With the right guidance at the right time, organisations can streamline operations and enhance overall efficiency. That’s what I aim to showcase to my clients, that when they engage with us early we can save them time and stress.”