A business group for South Asians has been further strengthened locally with the arrival of a key player at accountancy and investment management firm Smith & Williamson.
Headed up by Harish Dass, who recently joined as an associate director, the Asian Business Group (ABG) is a new part of the firm’s international and emerging markets offering.
The ABG covers the Solent region, where figures show there are 27,500 Asians across Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Harish said: “We have launched this group because we believe there is a real need in the community for the right advice from practitioners who have the technical expertise international capability and understanding of the culture to assist individuals, families and companies from a South Asian background.
“Working with private clients and their families requires the utmost tact, discretion and confidentiality, and we also put great emphasis on a bespoke and flexible approach.”
Harish, a qualified chartered accountant and a chartered tax adviser, is being supported on the South Coast by Chris Appleton, the firm’s senior director at the Southampton office.
Chris said: “The South Asian community in the Solent region has a strong commercial ethos and this is an area where we feel we can provide holistic advice to entrepreneurs and business families.”
Chris’ international work forms a significant part of his client focus through Nexia International, Smith & Williamson’s international network.
He added: “As a key player in the South Asian arena, Harish brings a great deal of experience and knowledge of advising entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses, high-net worth individuals and corporations. His new role further strengthens our ABG offering here in the Solent region.”
Services offered through the ABG include:
Advising first and second generation UK resident non-doms on succession and tax planning in relation to their worldwide estate.
Providing in-depth knowledge on tax, advisory and business services for companies looking to grow.
Advising Asian companies, in particular from the Indian sub-continent, on acquisition opportunities in the UK following the relaxation of government restrictions in India.
Assisting companies in the UK who are seeking to expand into South Asia.
Advising high net worth individuals and their families on structuring UK property acquisitions in a tax-efficient manner.
