Wedlake Bell tax partner Michael Ridsdale has been appointed President of the VAT Practitioners Group. He takes up the role immediately and succeeds Michael Conlon QC.
The group is an association of VAT specialists in the UK drawn from the accounting profession, the Bar, law firms, independent VAT practices as well as in-house VAT advisers from all sectors of business.
The VPG membership is organised into 20 chapters across the UK which meet monthly to discuss technical and practical issues relating to VAT.
The VPG considers and responds to consultations on VAT and makes representations to HMRC and other government bodies on behalf of its members. The annual VPG Conference, held each June, is one of the leading VAT conferences in the UK.
Michael said following his appointment: “The VPG is the only independent organisation dedicated to VAT and I am honoured to have been appointed as its President. I am looking forward to taking an active role in its future growth and ensuring it continues to meet the needs of its members.”
Note to editors: Michael Ridsdale advises on the VAT aspects of a range of transactions and has extensive experience acting for taxpayers in connection with disputes with HM Revenue & Customs, including enquiries and acting for clients in connection with tax appeals. His clients include large corporates, universities and high net worth individuals.
He is a member of the respective VAT committees of the Law Society and the British Property Federation and is part of the teaching faculty on the MSc in Taxation at the University of Oxford.