Podcast: WTS UK’s CEO breaks cover on strategy, the big four and AI

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement


Podcast: WTS UK’s CEO breaks cover on strategy, the big four and AI

Taxing Times podcast Jeff Soar WTS article header

Jeff Soar lifts the lid on WTS UK’s ambitious recruitment plans, the firm's positioning against the big four, and why tax is the perfect profession for AI

ITR’s latest podcast features an in-depth conversation between ITR Editor Tom Baker and Jeff Soar, CEO of the newly launched WTS UK, offering listeners an early look at the firm’s strategy and ambitions in the UK market.

In the episode, Soar opens up about WTS UK’s positioning – including how the firm intends to differentiate itself from the big four and compete for high-end advisory work.

The podcast also explores Soar’s personal decision to join WTS UK and his perspective on the evolving tax partner recruitment market, with candid reflections on what is driving movement at the senior level.

Finally, Baker and Soar reflect on April's ITR AI in Tax Forum, sharing their highlights from a timely and action-packed agenda.

We hope you enjoy listening.

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Awards
Leading firms and individuals gathered in Dubai to celebrate standout legal, dealmaking and tax work across the region
Tax authorities want more revenue, have better tools to find it and are increasingly willing to fight for it
Audifina, the sixth-largest firm of its kind in Lithuania, will bring a 90-strong team with offices in Vilnius and Kaunas to RSM’s international platform
As global capability centres use AI to deliver services, MNEs face a fresh wave of PE and TP exposure that their existing playbooks weren't built for
The deal for Comtax hands Ryan immediate scale in Brazil, with a near-70-strong team serving clients from São Paulo
The arrivals of Julio Castro and Adam Blakemore mean the firm has added six tax partners to its global practice since the start of 2025
Tax authorities have gained unprecedented transparency through CbCR, but a new study suggests they may not be looking in the right places
The future chief tax officer will be judged not only on compliance, but on their ability to harness data, technology and AI to support strategic decision-making
More than 200 tier promotions reshaped this year's European rankings as several international firms strengthened their positions in key tax markets
Ryosuke Takemura, OECD policy adviser, countered that the organisation’s role is ‘not to solve these issues one by one’ but to prevent tax disputes in general
Gift this article