UNW wins big at national tax awards

North East independent chartered accountancy and business advisory firm UNW is celebrating after its Employment Taxes Team was named ‘Best Employment Tax Team’ at the Tolley’s Taxation Awards 2025.

Widely regarded as a benchmark of excellence in the UK tax profession, the annual Tolley’s Awards recognise outstanding achievements across the industry.

This year’s ceremony, held on Thursday 8th May at the Hilton Park Lane in London, brought together firms and individuals from across the country to celebrate exceptional work in practice, in-house, and the public sector.

The win marks the team’s second success at the event in recent years, having picked up ‘Best Specialist Team in a Law or Accounting Firm’ in 2023 and been shortlisted for the employment tax category in 2024.

Part of the firm’s wider tax offering, UNW’s Employment Taxes Team provides comprehensive advice and support on all aspects of employment tax, covering both compliance and advisory work. Operating primarily out of its office base in Newcastle upon Tyne city centre, but with strong networks across the Midlands and Wales as well as the South, the team advises on everything from salary sacrifice and employee benefits to termination pay, employment status, and international assignments.

The team is led by partner Lee Muter, a former Human Capital Director within a global firm. Working alongside Lee is Paul Tucker, a former partner at a mid-tier national firm and the current Vice-Chair of the CIOT Employment Tax subcommittee, David Paul, who previously worked alongside Lee at his former firm as an Associate Partner and Parm Bhachoo, who has worked in senior roles both within practice and as an in-house specialist at a large construction-based business.

They’re joined by Becky Hood, Leah Harrison and Louisa Edwardson, who are each at different stages of UNW’s ground-breaking Employment Taxes apprenticeship programme. All three are developing their skills while playing a valuable role in the team’s work with clients.

Lee Muter, Employment Taxes Partner at UNW, said: “We were absolutely delighted to represent the firm at this national award ceremony, and to be named winners on the night was a proud moment for all of us. As an independent firm based in Newcastle, it’s really pleasing to know that we can compete with larger national firms and still stand out.

“We’ve built a strong team here at UNW, and this win, our second national award in the last couple of years, really reflects the quality of the work being done every day. What makes it extra special is that it’s recognition from within the profession – from people who really understand this area of work and what excellence looks like.

“We’re lucky to work with some fantastic clients across the UK, and we know that the quality of our service and advice needs to be at a high level so that they continue to trust us. It is not something we ever take for granted. To have that commitment acknowledged on a national level means a lot to us all.”

Looking ahead, Lee added: “Our work takes us well beyond the North East, and we’re continuing to grow. That creates more opportunities for the team and means we can keep building on the strong foundations we’ve put in place. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved – and really excited for what’s next.”