Saint & Co., a prominent Cumbrian-based accountancy firm, has appointed a new Head of Tax to further bolster the company's specialised services.

Alex Dent, who has made a substantial impact on the firm's tax department since 2015, will spearhead the growth of the department in her new role.

As a partner in the firm, Ms Dent's sterling progress in the industry continues to progress, and she is looking forward to overseeing the company's tax operations in her new role.

She said: "I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in my career to date and of developing the tax department at Saint & Co along with the recently retired tax partner Pauline Jackson.

"I’m excited to build on what we’ve already put in place.

"Saint & Co is recognised as a company providing expert tax advice to complement our other financial services, and one of the most satisfying parts of the job is being able to assess a client’s targets and goals and provide a holistic approach to find the solutions perfect for them.

"As a company, we want to develop the excellent level of service we offer to our clients and I’m looking forward to driving the team to achieve these ambitions."

With an unconventional entrance into accountancy, Ms Dent's clear academic prowess led to her securing a job at the tender age of 18 based on her impressive A-Level results.

Unlike most who are university graduates, she fast-tracked her career by studying directly for the Associated Chartered Accountancy (ACA) qualification after school.

Not halting even at motherhood, her final exams were brought forward, enabling her to take them merely two weeks before giving birth to her first child.

Post her second maternity leave an opportunity at Saint & Co nearly a decade ago proved to be the perfect fit.

Ms Dent said: "I needed something that fitted around childcare and I knew that Saint & Co was a friendly and flexible firm because my family used them as their accountants, so it was the perfect fit for me.

"From the moment I started, I have been given the freedom to develop my career in the ways which would benefit my personal interests, and I’ve been able to structure my career around my family.

"The company promotes a strong work life balance while always encouraging me to progress my knowledge of tax and accountancy, and I couldn’t have achieved all I have so far without the endless support from the company, my family and my husband."

Pauline Jackson, the recently retired tax partner, who worked closely with Ms Dent said: "The company’s tax department is in very safe hands as Alex has proved herself to be an extremely competent, dependable and talented tax professional who puts her clients’ interests to the forefront of every decision made.

"I will miss working with Alex but I’m really happy that she has been promoted to the new role which will see her continue to flourish and develop both professionally and personally, and this will be a huge benefit to the ongoing success of Saint & Co’s tax department."

Ms Dent is based at Saint & Co’s main headquarters in Carlisle, and the company holds offices across Cumbria and has three branches in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland.