Rutherford Cross Tax Specialist Ben Jones recently met with Stuart Thomson, Tax Partner at KPMG and set out to understand what has shaped Stuart’s career, his new role as Partner at a Big 4 firm and how he sees the future of tax in Scotland.
“What a view!” I say, standing in KPMG’s office on Castle Terrace (very fittingly named) as we look up directly at Edinburgh Castle. There are not many better locations in Edinburgh to work from and Stuart gives me a tour of the fantastic building that houses 300 of his colleagues.
The Impact Behind the Numbers
“I’ve never really had a career plan,” Stuart admits early on. “It’s always been about working with good people and doing good work. That’s been my compass.”
It’s a refreshingly honest sentiment to start us off, in a profession so often associated with meticulous planning. For Stuart, who has spent much of his career advising clients across Scotland and beyond, the real value has come not from following a rigid trajectory but from staying open to opportunities that align with his values.
He describes his early years not as a series of calculated moves but as a journey led by curiosity. “I’ve always been interested in how things work, why businesses make the decisions they do, how tax interacts with those decisions and what that means for people on the ground.”
That curiosity, it turns out, has been a defining aspect, guiding him from technical tax work into roles that focus on the real-world impact of tax advice.
Like many in the profession, Stuart began with a focus on the technical side of things, learning the legislation, mastering the detail and ensuring compliance. But over time, he found himself drawn more to the human and commercial dimensions of tax.
“Tax is never just about numbers,” he says. “It’s about what those numbers represent. People’s livelihoods, ambitions and the risks they’re willing to take. When you start to see it that way, it changes how you approach the work.”
That perspective that tax advice is not just technical but transformational has shaped much of Stuart’s career. Whether advising growing family businesses on succession planning or supporting large enterprises through periods of change, he sees his role as turning complex legislation into actionable insight.
Clients often tell him they value his ability to translate complexity into clarity. “That’s the nicest feedback you can get. If I can make a client’s life a bit easier by explaining something clearly, then I’ve done my job.”
Upbringing in a Family Business
It’s clear that Stuart’s roots in Scotland have had a lasting influence on his professional outlook. He speaks warmly about his work with Scottish family-owned businesses, many of which face the unique challenge of succession planning.
“There’s something very personal about advising family businesses,” he says. “It’s not just about tax efficiency, it’s about legacy, emotion and trust. These are people who’ve built something over generations and they want to see it thrive beyond them. You must respect that.”
His empathy for business owners stems in part from his upbringing. “My parents ran a small business, so I saw first-hand how hard they worked and how personal every decision was. That gave me a huge respect for entrepreneurs and a real understanding of what’s at stake for them.”
It’s a background that helps explain Stuart’s pragmatic style: empathetic but direct, strategic but grounded.
AI – The Intelligent Assistant
No modern conversation about tax would be complete without touching on technology and the conversation turns to AI.
“There’s a lot of excitement about AI right now,” he acknowledges. “And rightly so, it’s going to change the way we work. But we need to be careful not to treat it as a silver bullet.”
He sees AI as an intelligent assistant rather than a replacement for human judgement. “AI can process huge amounts of information quickly, but it needs to be guided on context, nuance or intent and that’s where people still make the difference.”
For Stuart, the future of tax will depend on finding that balance. Using technology to enhance insight, not replace it. “If we get it right,” he says, “we can spend less time crunching data and more time understanding clients, building relationships and helping them make better decisions.”
The Next Generation of Tax
As our conversation turns to the next generation of tax professionals, it’s clear that mentoring is one of the aspects of his role he enjoys most.
“I love seeing people develop,” he says. “The best thing you can do for someone early in their career is to encourage their curiosity, to give them the confidence to ask questions and to challenge assumptions respectfully.”
He recalls his own early days, when experienced mentors took the time to guide him. “I learned that you don’t need to know everything, you just need to be willing to find out. That mindset stays with you.”
For Stuart, curiosity is more than a learning tool. It’s a way of staying relevant. “The tax world never stands still,” he says. “Legislation changes, technology evolves, client needs shift. If you stop asking questions, you fall behind.”
He’s also quick to stress the importance of empathy and listening. “Technical excellence matters, of course, but clients remember how you make them feel. Being responsive, being helpful, showing that you care, that’s what builds trust.”
Leadership and Legacy
Stuart’s leadership philosophy mirrors his approach to client work. Thoughtful and people focused. He doesn’t talk in buzzwords or complex theories. Instead, he speaks about the small moments that make a difference.
“Leadership isn’t about titles or hierarchy,” he says. “It’s about setting an example, how you behave when things are difficult, how you support people when they make mistakes and how you celebrate their successes.”
It’s also about giving people space to think. “I try not to jump in with answers. I’d rather ask, ‘What do you think?’ Nine times out of ten, they’ll come up with something better than I would have.”
He laughs as he adds, “And if they don’t, at least they’ve learned something by thinking it through.”
The Changing Face of Tax
Looking ahead, Stuart sees both challenges and opportunities in the tax landscape.
“The level of scrutiny from HMRC is increasing and legislation is getting more complex,” he notes. “At the same time, technology is reshaping how compliance and advisory work are done. The pace of change is only going to accelerate.”
Yet, he remains optimistic. “I think the profession is in a good place. We’re attracting people who are digitally savvy, commercially minded and motivated by making a difference. That combination will serve clients well.”
He’s particularly passionate about the need for continued investment in technology and innovation, not just for efficiency, but for economic growth. “If we can use technology to make tax systems smarter and more transparent, everyone benefits, businesses, governments and society as a whole.”
Reflections and Final Thoughts
As our conversation winds down, I ask Stuart what advice he’d give to his younger self, starting out in tax.
He pauses for a moment before replying. “Stay curious. Don’t be afraid to ask ‘why’. Respect experience, but don’t assume things can’t be done differently. And above all, remember that what we do affects real people, so keep that human touch.”
It’s a fitting note to end on. Stuart’s story is a reminder that the best tax advisors are those who blend technical skill with empathy, curiosity and clarity.
Whether he’s advising a family business on succession, mentoring a new recruit, or navigating the complexities of AI, Stuart approaches it all with the same philosophy: work with good people, do good work and never stop learning.
Please contact Ben Jones for support with your Tax hiring needs or for advice with your own Tax career: [email protected]
Additionally, if you would like to be part of the Rutherford Cross ‘Why Tax?’ series and share your own career journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ben Jones.
