Leading accountancy firm Armstrong Watson has appointed a new head of tax.

Jim Meakin has joined the company, which has 15 offices, as tax partner.

Mr Meakin joined Armstrong Watson from international accounting firm RSM, where he held a number of senior positions including managing partner of its Newcastle office, head of its London tax practice and until recently, he was RSM’s national head of tax.

Armstrong Watson said Mr Meakin will play a key part in helping to meet the firm's ambitions to develop a stronger presence in the North East, where the firm has already established itself but wishes to create a local presence as a leading firm in its chosen markets.

Mr Meakin said: "I look forward to developing our tax capability even further into one which our clients value as a source of proactive solutions to commercial problems and which adds real business value.”

Mr Meakin's appointment continues Armstrong Watson’s investment in its tax practice and is one of a number of senior appointments in recent months, including that of Alex Nicholson who joined the firm from PwC in August as VAT director.

Paul Dickson, Armstrong Watson CEO and managing partner, added: "We are very pleased to have Jim join us in the role of head of tax.

"It is essential we have focused and ambitious leadership to grow both our tax capabilities and the firm as a whole.

"Our ambition is to grow organically and to be the go to firm for family-owned businesses in the North and having a strong tax practice is a vital corner stone to achieving this.”