George Hay Chartered Accountants’ Tax Partner, Barry Jefferd, appointed ATT President

Barry Jefferd, Tax Partner at George Hay Chartered Accountants, has been appointed as President of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) as of 9 July, following the Association’s AGM.

The Association of Taxation Technicians is a charity and the leading professional body for those providing UK tax compliance services.

Barry takes over from Graham Batty, having served tenures as both Vice and Deputy President. Completing the 2026/27 leadership team, Eleanor Theocari becomes Deputy President, and Richard Freeman becomes Vice President.

With a career spanning almost 40 years, Barry’s expertise and love of what he does is without question, and he is exceptionally proud of his long-standing involvement with both the ATT and Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

Having been a member of ATT since 2009, in 2021 Barry joined the ATT Council and currently serves as Chair of the Examination Steering Group.

He is a former Chair of the Mid-Anglia Branch and has been a member of the Committee since 1988. He was also a member of the CIOT Education Committee for 17 years.

Barry said: “Becoming President is a huge privilege, and the highlight of a long career in taxation. To be asked by my fellow Trustees to take on the role is a real honour, and I am looking forward to working with them, my fellow officers, the excellent Head Office Team, and members to continue to develop the Association.

“With the support of Deputy President, Ele Theochari and Vice President, Richard Freeman, my aim for the year is to share knowledge with those already in the profession, to inspire others to get involved in tax, to prove to as many as possible that ‘Tax Is Fun’ and, ultimately, to ensure the ATT remains at the heart of the tax community.”

After qualifying with a London firm in 1985, Barry joined George Hay Chartered Accountants in 1988 and became Tax Partner in 1990 – a role he still holds today.

In addition to his role as tax adviser to business and private clients, he leads the delivery of the firm’s Probate & Estate services via GH Probate Ltd, having been one of the first accountants to become an authorised probate practitioner back in 2014.

Barry is also a director of GH Wills Ltd, which launched in April 2024 and provides bespoke Will-writing services.

With significant changes to tax administration and policy in recent years, Barry has seen first-hand the important role that organisations such as the ATT play in helping professionals and taxpayers to navigate challenges, and in putting forward practical solutions.

“The ATT’s charitable objective is to promote the study of the administration and practice of taxation, and in recent years it has definitely become apparent to me how the organisation is growing in importance, whether by making representations on behalf of members and taxpayers, or by offering practical solutions to ‘problem areas’ in respect of tax.”

The firm, which has offices in Huntingdon, Biggleswade and Letchworth and employs over 60 people, offers a full suite of accounting services, including audit, tax compliance and planning, payroll, bookkeeping, and business advisory – all under one roof, as well as Probate & Estates services and Will writing services.