Johnston Carmichael bolsters tax team

Accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has appointed Adrienne Paterson as tax director in its Newcastle office, strengthening its North East presence.

Adrienne is one of the region’s most experienced transaction tax specialists, having spent over 30 years in roles at KPMG, EY and a leading regional firm. 

For the last 15 years, she has focused solely on transaction-led advisory, including business sales, acquisitions, mergers, and demergers.

At Johnston Carmichael, she joins a growing national transaction tax team, with a remit to deepen the firm’s presence across the North East and support business owners, entrepreneurs, and advisers navigating complex tax matters.

Adrienne said: “Johnston Carmichael has an excellent reputation, both in terms of its technical capability and its culture. 

“What attracted me was the firm’s collaborative ethos, its investment in people, and the depth of tax expertise already here. 

“My focus will be to strengthen our profile in the North East, particularly around transaction tax. 

“If a business is looking to sell, restructure or expand, I want Johnston Carmichael to be the first name they think of when it comes to expert tax advice.”

Paul Shields, head of Johnston Carmichael’s Newcastle office, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Adrienne to the team. 

“She is incredibly well-respected in the North East business community and brings a wealth of experience in a highly specialised area of tax. 

“Her appointment strengthens not only our service offering, but also our leadership in the region. 

“As we continue to grow, we want to ensure that businesses across the North East have access to the very best advisory support, and Adrienne will play a key role in that.”

Adrienne’s appointment follows a series of national and regional award shortlists for Johnston Carmichael’s tax team, including recognition at the 2025 Tolley’s Taxation Awards and the upcoming North East Accountancy Awards.

Suzanne Brownie, tax partner at Johnston Carmichael, added: “Adrienne is a highly capable and likeable expert in transaction tax. 

“She prides herself in supporting clients with clear and pragmatic advice - allowing clients to make confident and well-informed decisions.  

“With a wealth of commercial experience and long-standing relationships across the North East, she is a fantastic addition to strengthen our senior tax team.”

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