BRETT SILKSTONE

BUILDING TRUST THROUGH HONEST CONNECTIONS

“For me, building strong client relationships starts with getting to know people on a personal level. It’s about being open and honest from the outset, because that’s what builds trust. When clients feel comfortable and know you’re genuinely invested, it creates a much stronger foundation to work from.”

RESPONSIVENESS THAT BUILDS CONFIDENCE

“One relationship that stands out was when I joined a client after their main contact had suddenly left the business. There were a number of outstanding issues, and understandably, they felt uncertain. I focused on being responsive and present, even if I didn’t have all the answers straight away. Keeping them informed and showing that I was actively working through their challenges helped build trust quickly. Over time, that consistency turned a difficult situation into a really strong working relationship.”

FINDING PURPOSE IN SOLVING CHALLENGES

“The most satisfying part of my role is helping clients overcome challenges. It’s not just about solving the issue in front of you, but it’s also about using your experience to guide them through it in a way that makes things clearer and more manageable. Seeing that shift from uncertainty to reassurance is really rewarding.”

BRINGING CLARITY TO COMPLEX SITUATIONS

“A previous challenge I worked through involved a client facing internal concerns around fairness in their assignment policies. Employees felt there were inconsistencies, which was starting to impact morale. I worked closely with the client to understand the detail behind the policies and developed a range of scenarios to show how different situations played out in practice.

By laying everything out clearly, they were able to see where concerns were coming from and make more informed, balanced decisions. It also gave them the tools to communicate more transparently with their employees, which helped rebuild trust and confidence across the business.”

MAKING COMPLEXITY FEEL MANAGEABLE

“One of the nicest compliments I’ve received from a client was being told they always felt they were in good hands when I was involved. That stuck with me, because it reflects how I aim to work, giving clients reassurance, clarity and confidence, even in complex situations.”

NAVIGATING CHANGE WITH CONFIDENCE

“US tax is constantly evolving, and one of the biggest challenges is keeping up with changes while understanding how they apply in practice. Guidance isn’t always immediate or clear, which can make things more complex for clients. My approach is to stay proactive, keep up to date, and focus on translating that complexity into something practical and usable for the client.”

STRENGTHS THAT DRIVE VALUE

“I bring a positive and open mindset to my role. I’m always willing to learn, whether that’s from my own experiences or the people around me. I’m comfortable admitting when I don’t know something, but I take ownership of finding the answer.

I also have experience working with international teams, which has helped me understand different perspectives and adapt my approach. Alongside delivering for clients, I’m passionate about supporting people and creating an environment where teams can thrive.”

LOOKING AHEAD

“I’m really interested in how technology can improve the way we work, particularly when it comes to automation and streamlining processes. If we can reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, it allows us to focus more on adding value for clients. Developing those skills and continuing to improve how we work is something I’m keen to build on.”