David Baggaley
Partner
Head of Tax and Tax Partner
As Head of Tax and Tax Partner, I advise businesses, shareholders, and investors on various complex corporate tax matters, including transactions, reorganisations, succession planning, employee incentives, and wider shareholder tax issues. I combine technical expertise with commercial insight to deliver clear, pragmatic advice that supports strategic decision-making and long-term business success.
I work with owner-managed and entrepreneurial businesses, together with their shareholders and directors, helping them navigate the UK tax landscape and planning for the future.
My approach is built on developing trusted, long-term relationships and providing advice that is clear, pragmatic, and aligned to my clients' commercial objectives. I work collaboratively with clients and their advisers to deliver tailored tax solutions that support long-term success.
My expertise spans corporate tax advisory and compliance, corporate restructurings, reorganisations, demergers, and management buyouts, as well as business succession planning, exit strategies and shareholder tax matters. I advise on transaction tax, including buy-side and sell-side due diligence, and have extensive experience in management incentivisation, including EMI, growth shares and share option planning.
I also support businesses with external investment, including EIS and SEIS, R&D tax relief claims, HMRC enquiries, as well as Patent Box, capital allowances, and corporation tax reliefs. I specialise in helping entrepreneurial and privately owned businesses structure for growth, investment, succession and exit through practical, commercially focused tax advice.
I joined a Big Four accountancy firm straight from university in 2007, qualifying as both a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. I spent time in various offices, including India and Edinburgh, before returning to Newcastle, where I became Associate Partner and led the Private Tax team across the North East and Yorkshire.
I joined Clive Owen in 2022 as a Tax Partner and was appointed Head of Tax in 2025, leading the firm’s tax offering across Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, and York.
Career highlights
Building and growing a successful private tax business while at a Big Four firm, working with entrepreneurial and privately owned clients. Leading tax structuring advice on multiple IPOs, supporting businesses from early-stage growth through to listing.
Advising corporate clients and shareholders on acquisitions, disposals, reorganisations, demergers, and management incentive arrangements. Supporting clients with tax due diligence, HMRC clearances, R&D claims and complex corporation tax advisory projects.
Leading and developing a growing specialist tax team across Clive Owen, focused on practical, high-quality advice and strong client service.
A BSc (Hons) graduate, Chartered Accountant (CA) and Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).
