CIOT and ATT Manchester Branch

Welcome to the Manchester Branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and Association of Taxation Technicians

Welcome from your Branch Chair, Paul Davies

I am very pleased to act as chairman of the Manchester District branch and to chair meetings of the local branch committee.   

One of the objectives of the CIOT and ATT is to advance the continuing education of professionals concerned in the practice of taxation as a profession.  The local branches each make a significant contribution to this objective by arranging a series of technical seminars for practitioners; each branch has considerable freedom to make its own arrangements in this regard, as it thinks best for its local members.   

We are always open to ideas, so if members want to propose topics for next year’s series of seminars, or have any other suggestions about the seminars, they should please get in touch. 

Tax can be a dry subject so in the interest of balance the committee normally arranges at least one social event each year at which members can socialise, network, and exchange views in an informal setting.   

All of these activities entail a significant amount of work and I am very fortunate to be supported by a number of individuals on the Manchester committee, some of whom have been giving their time for this purpose for a good number of years.  I would like to extend particular thanks to our outgoing chair, Lindsey Holmes, for her work until now, which has ensured the affairs of the local committee were in such good order prior to my appointment. 

Branch Committee 

Paul Davies
Branch Chair 

Karen Bullen
Branch ATT Representative

Michelle Dale
Branch Committee

Mark Fink
Branch Committee

Davyd Fisher
Branch Committee

Sian Marsden
Branch Committee

Fiona McNair
Branch Committee 

Meet the Manchester Branch Committee

Paul Davies

Manchester Branch Chair

Karen Bullen

I joined the Branch committee around 6 years ago. In ‘normal’ times the committee meets several times a year. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to help organise social events which allow students and members to meet up and it has been really good meeting past students of mine at these events. We also organise lectures which as well as being of great value in terms of improving knowledge are also a good networking experience for all involved. In my role on the committee I have represented the Branch at several careers fairs at colleges promoting the ATT and CIOT. I am the Head of Manchester Centre for Tolley Exam Training. I am also a senior tutor teaching on all ATT exam papers and the CTA Awareness, Advisory Individuals, Advisory Owner Managed Businesses (OMB) and Application OMB papers. In addition to my Tolley work I also lecture on the student conferences run by the ATT and CIOT. My specialist areas are Personal taxation (all aspects including IHT and Trust plus overseas aspects), Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses and VAT.

Davyd Fisher

I am a Tax Director at Grant Thornton. Based in Manchester, with responsibility across the North of England, I have 17 years' experience within the Employer Solutions team. This involves advising and assisting clients to implement major changes to employee remuneration and benefits packages, including flexible benefits, tax and NIC efficient pay structures and related policy and procedural changes. Alongside this, I provide advice and assistance to clients in relation to compliance with their tax obligations with a particular emphasis on employment tax compliance, employment status and cross border mobility matters. I joined the branch a number of years ago to meet likeminded tax professionals and help build the profile of the CIOT and ATT in the Region. Alongside supporting the branch with lecture and social planning, I led the organisation of the ATT 25th anniversary lunch, the success of which led to an annual event bringing local leaders together across various sectors.