Mark
Lappin

Who I help

Our clients. Internal tax team. Wider AAB teams.

How I help

Leading the tax practice, delivering growth, and supporting our people.

“It’s all about helping our clients in a way that works for AAB and our people.”

Mark Lappin is Head of Tax at AAB and leads the Tax practice with a clear focus on people, performance and strategic growth. His role is centred around shaping the future of the tax practice, building consistency across the UK, enhancing the delivery model and driving business performance through data-led insights.

He collaborates closely with Finance on profitability and performance and works with leaders across the group to deliver AAB’s growth ambitions. Mark is focused on transforming strategy into action, actively shaping how we deliver value. Known for his authenticity and straight-talking leadership style, Mark is passionate about building a tax team that thrives, both professionally and personally, as part of AAB’s wider success. His goal is to create a future-forward tax team that drives real impact. His approach is to ask the questions, listen, and build understanding early. It’s a people-first philosophy because knowing people leads to better outcomes.

Excited for what lies ahead.

“Joining AAB was a no-brainer. From the very first introduction to our CEO, through to my official start, one theme stood out: growth and ambition. Yes, there’ll be challenges, but I’m excited to face them with this team. I’ve been entrusted to lead the tax practice into its next phase, and I can’t wait to see what we achieve when we go above and beyond together.”

Trust is at the forefront of everything.

“One of the most difficult challenges I’ve come across in my career was when preparing a business for sale. One of the team members was recalled from gardening leave to support the sale of the company, for which he would be exiting. This was a tricky situation, full of emotion.

How did we manoeuvre our way through? Trust. I approached the situation by showing empathy. Keeping a degree of sensitivity and showing concern for the problem, he found himself in. In the end, the business was sold, and now he’s a serial entrepreneur and a close friend. We built a connection that wouldn’t have existed without that trust. That’s why I place such importance on creating foundations of trust with all relationships.”

Leading with Authenticity.

“For me, authenticity is everything. People, clients, and colleagues can tell when it’s missing. That’s why I believe the strongest relationships are built on trust and openness. You can’t fake genuine intent. And when we lead with honesty, that’s where real value begins to emerge.

Our clients don’t come to us just for generic advice; they want real insight, an objective perspective, and solutions that work in practice. That’s why I believe in being candid. If something won’t work for a business, we need to say so. If there’s a better route, we should share it. We’re not here to rubber-stamp ideas. We’re here to help clients make confident, informed decisions.

That kind of honesty creates respect. It shows we’re invested, not just in ticking boxes, but in helping clients succeed. When we bring our expertise and communicate with clarity, clients view us as a true partner. Not just advisers, but people who support them think differently and move forward with purpose. That’s when we make a difference.”

People first, always.

“The biggest challenges and the most significant rewards always come down to people. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone brings their own goals, motivations, and strategies to work. Getting a whole team aligned behind a shared purpose that genuinely means something to each person takes time, care, and clarity.

But when it clicks, it’s powerful. When people understand the strategy, see their role in it, and feel connected to the outcome, that’s when teams thrive. That’s what I love most about my job: helping people grow, develop, and succeed in ways that matter to them. Seeing that progress, both professionally and personally, is what motivates me every day.”

Tech at the core.

“My background in telecoms and technology has meant I’ve always embraced tech and change throughout my career. I believe that technology is a key enabler for growth. I can only see the pace of technology in professional services increasing. Generative AI and its implications for us, our roles, and our clients will continue to rise at an ever-increasing rate. I’m excited to see what that results in for our capabilities, knowledge and skills.”