When many business leaders think about VAT, they think about compliance. For Glyn Edwards, it is about people, businesses and the decisions that shape them every day.
From working with funeral directors and charities to supporting schools, motor retailers and healthcare organisations, no two weeks are the same. One day might involve advising on the VAT treatment of memorial jewellery, while another could be focused on business sales, property transactions or resolving disputes with HMRC.
That variety is one of the reasons VAT remains one of the most fascinating areas of tax. Every business faces different challenges, and each question brings a new perspective.
For business leaders, the challenge is rarely about understanding legislation alone. It is about understanding what the rules mean in practice. Whether reviewing business processes during a Senior Accounting Officer visit, helping organisations correct historical VAT issues, or supporting clients through HMRC investigations, the focus is on helping people make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
That support extends across sectors and across the UK. In a single week, Glyn has worked with colleagues and clients in Milton Keynes, Leicester, Birmingham and the North West, while also supporting clients in Baker Tilly’s Belfast office. This ability to draw on expertise from across the firm ensures clients have access to specialist knowledge wherever a challenge arises.
That variety is one of the reasons VAT remains one of the most fascinating areas of tax. Every business faces different challenges, and each question brings a new perspective.
The automotive sector provides a strong example of this collaborative approach. Glyn regularly works with some of the UK’s largest motor retail clients and has helped grow MHA’s presence within the sector through the firm’s Automotive Forum and wider industry engagement. Alongside client work, he works closely with leading banks and industry stakeholders, helping businesses navigate regulatory change, operational challenges and growth opportunities.
His expertise also goes beyond client work. Having recently spoken at MHA’s Automotive Forum and preparing for a Baker Tilly International speaking engagement later this year, Glyn helps bring specialist VAT insight to a wider audience. This combination of technical expertise, sector knowledge and thought leadership enables clients to benefit from market-wide perspectives as well as practical advice.
Not every VAT challenge is straightforward compliance. As one of the heads of MHA’s national Tax Dispute Resolution team, Glyn also advises on some of the most complex matters businesses face. This includes supporting clients through Code of Practice 9 (COP9) investigations, where independence, transparency and expert judgement are critical to achieving the right outcome.
He is also working on disputes within the healthcare sector, where the distinction between medical and cosmetic treatments can have significant VAT implications. These cases demonstrate that modern VAT advice often sits at the intersection of legislation, commercial reality and risk management.
Alongside client work, Glyn helps drive learning and collaboration across MHA’s national VAT team through technical forums, conferences and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Bringing colleagues together across regions helps ensure expertise is shared, ideas are challenged and clients continue to benefit from the collective strength of the firm.
Of course, it is not all VAT legislation and technical debates. Every Monday, the Milton Keynes VAT team starts the week with a light-hearted competition called Weekend of the Week, where colleagues share stories from their time away from the office.
Recent entries have ranged from line dancing at a 60th birthday party to trips inspired by one of Britain’s best-loved television series. Glyn’s latest submission was a visit to Barry Island, home of the iconic Gavin & Stacey locations. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he narrowly missed out on the top spot.
It is a reminder that behind the technical expertise, industry leadership and client advice are people who enjoy sharing experiences, building relationships and supporting one another. That culture of collaboration is a big part of what makes MHA’s VAT team successful.
