Festival of CPD - Tax

Welcome and Introduction

Norman Allison, Mercia Group

This session will include a review of the key changes from Finance Act 2026 affecting the private client; personal tax changes; and capital tax changes including Inheritance Tax (IHT) on pension funds in 2027/28 and changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) from 2026/27.

Refreshment Break

Helen Knight, Mercia Group

This session will provide a practical review of key business and corporate tax issues affecting businesses and their owners. We will begin by reviewing corporation tax rates and the impact of the associated companies rules. The course will then cover recent changes to the capital allowances before moving on to other developments impacting companies and businesses including transfer pricing, share options and venture capital schemes and the new tax adviser registration requirement. The session finishes with a look at how FRS102 adoption will impact tax calculations and a brief focus on administration and HMRC’s wider transformation agenda. 

Helen Knight, Mercia Group

In advance of a more detailed session on payrolling benefits following this, this session provides a short overview of other employment tax changes including National Insurance, benefit calculation, future changes to salary sacrifice and the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on Statutory Sick Pay. 

Refreshment break

Nikki Richmond

CPD Hours: 4

Norman rejoined the tax team at Mercia way back in 2009 having originally left the company back in 1997. During his time away from the business he spent ten years with H&R Block Inc dealing with tax affairs of a wide range of clients and managing a national project with Barclays Bank as well as presenting throughout Eastern Europe. He was also a senior Tax Manager in the heart of the City dealing with the tax affairs for a number of high profile and high net worth clients. Since coming back to the business Norman has focussed on CPD training and technical updates for accountants all over the UK.

Originally from London (Walthamstow) and Essex (Clacton-on-Sea) but now living in both the Midlands and the glorious North Yorkshire Dales (Pateley Bridge) he is still an avid supporter of Spurs and also dabbles on his Nord and Korg keyboards.

Helen joined Mercia in 2022 from BPP where she was the lead tax author for course materials across a range of professional qualifications including from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the ACCA and the AAT.

Her role at Mercia includes writing technical material and e-learning, as well as devising and delivering courses. Prior to BPP, Helen worked at Deloitte where she specialised in corporate tax. She is a qualified FCA.

Nikki Richmond is ACA, CTA and DITT qualified with over 15 years of experience advising financial services clients (primarily in VAT) before transitioning into the world of professional training. Now a dedicated coach and tutor/lecturer, Nikki supports tax professionals at all stages of their career, from exam training through to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Working on a freelance basis, Nikki collaborates with leading training providers to deliver engaging and effective courses for students and seasoned professionals alike.

Nikki also regularly contributes to industry publications such as Tax Adviser, Tax Weekly and PQ Magazine and shares her expertise through a variety of webinars and podcasts.