Greg
Smythe     

Who I help

International clients. Large domestic clients.

How I help

Corporate Tax Returns. Corporate Tax Compliance. Tax Advice. Company Restructures and Rationalisations. Refinancing. International issues (inbound and outbound).  Complex transactions.  Tax investigations.

“I aim to help my clients cut through the noise.”

Greg Smythe is a Corporate Tax Director based in our London office. Specialising in international and corporation tax he provides expert advice to both inbound and outbound international clients, as well as large domestic clients navigating significant change. With particular expertise in restructuring and refinancing, he enjoys helping clients tackle complex transactions where the rules are intricate and often unclear. His wealth of experience ensures that clients can confidently approach situations that fall outside their day-to-day expertise, enabling them to remain compliant and focus on running their business.

Greg’s practical approach extends beyond technical analysis. By ensuring he understands the commercial drivers underlying their business decisions he helps clients understand the impact of tax legislation arising from those decisions and, where relevant, can offer alternatives based on his experience and knowledge – building trust and delivering tailored advice. Whether addressing exceptional transactions or offering guidance on long-term plans, he wants his clients to feel fully supported.

Helping clients find clarity

“I aim to help my clients cut through the noise. It’s not just about providing the tax advice they’ve requested—it’s about truly understanding the commercial drivers behind their decisions and ensuring the advice aligns with their wider goals. Sometimes, that means suggesting more tax-efficient structures or alternative approaches they might not have considered. For me, it’s about offering solutions that achieve everything they’re aiming for, without unnecessary complications.”

Building strong, trusted relationships

“An ideal client relationship, is one built on trust and approachability. I want to be the first person a client wants to call whenever they’re uncertain about a transaction’s tax implications or need reassurance that they’re on the right track. Some clients only come to me after the fact—when things haven’t gone to plan—and it’s so much harder to untangle issues at that point. My aim is to make clients feel comfortable reaching out early, even informally, so I can guide them or provide assurances before decisions are finalised. It’s about giving them peace of mind that they’re both compliant and protected.”

The satisfaction of making the complex simple

“What I enjoy most about my work is breaking down complex tax legislation into something meaningful for my clients. Tax rules often seem daunting or full of jargon, but every rule has a purpose behind it. My job is to help clients understand not only what the legislation says, but what it’s trying to achieve. Whether I’m working with clients or colleagues, it’s always rewarding to translate those complexities into something straightforward and actionable.

I genuinely enjoy talking about tax—perhaps too much! But for me, it’s about using that passion to support others, whether it’s clients facing complicated transactions or colleagues looking for guidance on a tricky issue.”

Balancing the personal and the virtual

“I believe in the value of meeting clients face-to-face. It often leads to richer, more open conversations that extend beyond the immediate topic. That said, virtual working has its advantages, especially when dealing with geographically dispersed teams or bringing multiple advisors together quickly. It’s about finding the right balance—combining the efficiency of virtual tools with the personal connection of in-person discussions.”

Staying ahead of the curve

“One of the greatest challenges I’ve found in tax is keeping up with the pace of change. New rules and legislation are emerging faster than ever, and they’re increasingly less prescriptive, relying instead on broader principles. This creates a lot of uncertainty, as the context and specifics of each situation play a much larger role in determining how the rules apply. To navigate this, I focus on understanding not just the letter of the law but the intent behind it—why it was introduced and what it was designed to address. This deeper understanding allows me to provide clear, confident advice to my clients, even in uncertain territory.”

Excited for the future

“AAB’s ambition is what excites me most. The firm is growing rapidly, expanding its presence in the market and taking on larger, more complex clients. For me, that means more opportunities to work on challenging projects and support both clients and colleagues as they navigate new territory. It’s an exciting time to be part of a business that’s investing so heavily in its future.”

Putting people first

“I feel a responsibility to support younger team members—not just in their technical development, but in ensuring they have a well-rounded experience. It’s important to help them enjoy their work while maintaining a good work-life balance. If we can create an environment where people feel fulfilled and supported, everyone benefits.”