Steve joined Baker McKenzie's Transfer Pricing practice in 2016. Prior to joining the firm he spent over twenty years in the Big 4 in various leadership roles, which included leading a global Financial Services Transfer Pricing team. In addition to working in the transfer pricing field, Steve spent eight years working in the Valuation Services practice of a Big 4 firm, and he also spent five years working in the banking industry.
Steve's transfer pricing experience covers transfer pricing policy design, business restructuring, global documentation, implementation, and resolving and preventing controversy with tax authorities. His experience in the area of policy design has focused on developing transfer pricing policies that are aligned with the creation of value in an organisation and consistent with the substantial changes to the guidance on transfer pricing and income attribution that have resulted from the OECD's BEPS project. A particular focus is transfer pricing related to risks and intangibles - areas in which the guidance has evolved considerably.
Steve's documentation experience currently focuses on providing a strategic approach to the redesign of documentation and embracing the Master file / Local file approach in BEPS Action 13. For many multinational groups, the task of updating their documentation is substantial, hence the importance of a strategic approach, placing the initial focus on the essential changes that must be made in order to be compliant.
In the area of controversy, Steve has helped clients to successfully defend their transfer pricing arrangements against challenges by tax authorities. He has also helped clients avoid potential controversy by seeking ATCAs as well as unilateral and multilateral APAs, and through consultation with tax authorities.
In the area of business restructuring, Steve has recently focused on business change that is required by regulatory change, particularly in the financial sector, and the response companies are making to the pending impact of Brexit is a significant current focus.
