Leading Pan African law firm Bowmans has substantially boosted its East African tax capabilities by appointing Nikhil Hira as tax director in its Nairobi office.

The East African business environment is becoming more complex and sophisticated, and so too are the tax obligations of major local and international companies doing business in the region.

“Nikhil is one of the most respected tax experts in East Africa and a welcome addition to the team. His strengths in tax advisory work, tax dispute resolution and specialist tax-related services will be put to excellent use,” says Bowmans chairperson and senior partner, Robert Legh.

Hira’s appointment follows the appointment of four new partners in Bowmans’ Johannesburg Tax Practice earlier this year – the lateral hires of Adele de Jager, Michael Rudnicki and Robyn Berger and the promotion of Kelly Wright.

Legh says that these moves will consolidate Bowmans’ position as a leading corporate and finance practice in the region.

Hira joined Bowmans on 1 August 2018. He has held positions such as tax leader, chief financial officer and executive director at companies in India, Kenya and the Middle East.

“His exceptional skills have been honed in East Africa, India the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom over a period of 33 years since he qualified in London as a chartered accountant,” says Richard Harney, managing partner of Bowmans in Kenya.

“Nikhil has an unrivalled knowledge of tax systems in East Africa, having worked as lead tax partner on projects for large corporates and multinationals in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.”

Apart from assisting Bowmans’ clients with tax advice and tax dispute resolution services, Hira will support the firm’s corporate, M&A, private equity and projects practices, providing specialist tax services such as transfer pricing advice, tax amnesty applications, tax due diligence exercises and succession planning for family businesses.

Hira is a former Council Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Kenya and sat on the Tax & Public Finance Committee and the Professional Standards Committee. He is also well known as a presenter and commentator on tax and economic issues in East Africa.

“We are delighted that Nikhil has decided to join us. His skills, experience and insight are an enormous asset and will assist us in enhancing the tax services we offer our clients in the region,” concludes Harney.