Trevor joined PSTAX in 2022 with 32 years public sector experience.  Over 25 of these were as the in-house VAT/tax manager within Local Authorities and NHS Wales, providing technical support, guidance and training to all departments.  Alongside his tax work, Trevor was the internal auditor for a Town Council.

Whilst at Bournemouth Borough Council, he supported the Local Government Review process under which it gained Unitary Authority status in 1997 with a range of additional services.  He developed a process for monitoring and forecasting their partial exemption position following the extensive rule changes in the same year, which had put authorities at greater risk of breaching their de minimis limits.  He also developed their first in-house VAT manual.  At Hampshire County Council, he established a county-wide group covering the district and unitary councils in the area, providing a link to the regional and national groups, and an opportunity to share best practice and consider joint projects.  He rewrote their internal tax manual to cover all taxes, and presented regular VAT/tax training and update sessions to the Council’s 500+ schools.  Whilst working at the NHS, he improved compliance checking processes and automated VAT return calculations in preparation for Making Tax Digital.

From its outset, Trevor was a regular contributor to CIPFA’s s33 email forum, and was a founder member of their TISonline VAT community.  He was invited to join the CIPFA VAT Committee in 2003, becoming chair from 2012. During this time, he was involved with the development of various policy issues – including the seven-year averaging for partial exemption agreed by HMRC in 2011, and the Voluntary Aided schools VAT recovery guidance agreed with HMRC and the DfE in 2012.  He has represented both the South East Counties VAT Group and the CIPFA VAT Committee at the Local Authority National VAT Consultative Group.

Since joining PSTAX, in addition to providing advice through our VAT/SDLT helpline and specific consultancy projects, Trevor has developed and delivered some of the summer and winter VAT training modules, and presented at VAT forums.   He has provided support to Local Councils – both through the PSTAX Local Council Tax Club, and our work with the SLCC – and developed and delivers the SLCC’s “Everything You Need To Know About VAT” webinars.

Outside of work, Trevor enjoys baking and walking.