Recruitment Team

Close profile

Seth Brown

Senior Manager, UK Recruitment

Seth joined the TaxAssist Direct Group in 2019 to work as part of the team responsible for franchisee recruitment in the UK.

Before joining TaxAssist, Seth had a 34 year banking career with HSBC UK Bank plc and has undertaken a wide range of general management, leadership and risk management control roles incorporating both Retail and Commercial Banking.

Seth is able to use his extensive career experience to work closely with prospective franchisees that are considering joining the network to discuss all aspects of the TaxAssist franchise proposition and Business Plan completion.

Close profile

Nikki Haythorne

UK Franchise Recruitment Manager

Nikki started working with TaxAssist in 2018 and is the main point of contact for prospective franchisees, guiding them through the process of exploring the opportunity through to making the move to join the network. She has several years of experience working with national franchise brands in the UK and also spent a year in franchising in Australia, a background that’s given her a deep understanding of ethical franchising and the importance of finding the right ‘fit’ between individual and franchisor. Proud to be recognised by the bfa as a Qualified Franchise Professional, in 2017 Nikki was shortlisted for EWIF’s Young Woman in Franchising award.

Close profile

Richard Chatten-Hague

Head of Group Global Support, QFP DipFM

Richard joined TaxAssist in July 2015 following seven years at a leading international franchise consultancy and publishing company, FDS. Richard graduated from the University of Northampton with a First-Class degree in Retail Marketing before joining FDS and specialised in creating Franchise Operations Manuals for business expanding by franchising, working alongside experienced franchise consultants and working with a number of national and international clients.

With more than 11 years’ experience in national and international franchising, Richard is responsible for managing global franchise recruitment strategies and providing the initial and ongoing training and support to our international Master Franchisees, our US network of Area Representatives, as well as delivering training and support to our Master Franchisees' and Area Representatives' own networks of franchisees.

Richard holds a Diploma in Franchise Management and is recognised as a British Franchise Association Qualified Franchise Professional (QFP), which is a formal recognition of professional knowledge and experience in franchising and demonstrates the individual’s understanding of the complexities, best practice and expertise in franchising.

Close profile

David Paulson QFP

Senior Vice President, Franchise Development

David joined The TaxAssist Direct Group in 2009 with the responsibility for franchisee recruitment in the UK. During this period, David was instrumental in recruiting 93 franchisees into the UK network, plus over 20 franchisees in Ireland and Australia. David was also responsible for brokering the sale of our first £1million ($1.6 million) franchise resale. As Senior Manager for Global Franchise Recruitment, David leads the expansion of the TaxAssist Accountants brand into targeted international markets. This role includes supporting Master Franchisees with franchisee recruitment and ensuring legal compliance with Australian franchise regulations.

Prior to joining TaxAssist, David worked for one of the UK’s leading franchise consultants and publishers and brings with him a thorough understanding of both the UK & International franchise markets and excellent contacts to further support TaxAssist master and single unit franchisees. After a two-year period of study, completing dissertations and a formal interview process, David has been recognised as a British Franchise Association (bfa) Qualified Franchise Professional (QFP). The QFP is a formal recognition of professional knowledge and experience in franchising and demonstrates the individual’s understanding of the complexities, best practice and expertise in franchising.

In December 2018 David was elected to the British Franchise Association’s Board of Directors. Representing all members – franchisors, franchisees and the professional advisors, the bfa is the ethical voice of franchising in the UK, representing members and helping to promote them within the industry and beyond. They also provide information and advice to businesses planning to franchise, or people considering joining a franchise.

Close profile

Nikki Brister

Recruitment Officer

Nikki joined TaxAssist in 2007 following 14 years with a local Housing Association working in the Finance and then the Marketing & Communication departments. During her time there she obtained qualifications in Business & Administration, along with AAT.

Nikki began her career with TaxAssist within the UK Franchise Recruitment Department and then moved to support the Business Development Team on a range of marketing initiatives. Following an initial secondment back to Recruitment Team to cover for maternity leave, Nikki has now re-joined the team on a permanent basis. Nikki’s role is to help support the recruitment of new Franchisees within the UK and to provide administrative support to the department.

Close profile

Hannah Westgarth

Global Recruitment Executive

Hannah is a long serving, dedicated and experienced member of the TaxAssist Accountants Support Centre. She joined the franchise recruitment team in 2003 and has experience of all roles within the department. Currently, she has responsibility for promoting the TaxAssist Accountants franchise opportunity in the UK and Internationally by writing articles and news stories and updating content on our websites and on social media platforms.

Close profile

Harry Brown

Global Recruitment Officer

Harry recently joined the Global Recruitment Team in January 2021 as a Recruitment Officer having spent five years previously working for NFU Mutual in a variety of roles. Harry will be providing support in all countries to the Managing Directors, Master Franchisees, Area Representatives and the Global Team at the Support Centre.

Close profile

James Sandall

Social Media Administrator

James joined TaxAssist in September 2019 as a Business Administration Apprentice. In January 2022, after spending time in various departments at the Support Centre building up his knowledge of the franchise, James joined the Global Recruitment team as a Social Media Administrator on a full-time basis. His role involves social media support and assisting the Global Team at the Support Centre.