CIOT announces new leadership team for 2025-26
The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has announced its new team of Officers for 2025-26. Current Deputy President Nichola Ross Martin will become the new President, with Paul Aplin as Deputy President and John Barnett as Vice-President.
The appointments were formally approved by the CIOT’s Council1 earlier this year and the officers will take up their new roles on 29 May at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting.
Nichola Ross Martin is the founder and former managing director of the Rossmartin.co.uk online tax resources and the Virtual Tax Partner support service. She is now a tax consultant with 2020 Innovation, a lecturer, writer and web innovator.
In supporting professional firms, accountants and advisers, she is a specialist in OMB business taxes, reorganisations and reconstructions, share schemes, tax appeals and investigations. Nichola has been a CIOT Council member since 2017 and sits on the Membership and Branches Committee and Equality Diversity & Inclusion Committee (a joint committee with the Association of Taxation Technicians).
Incoming Deputy President Paul Aplin is a well-known tax writer and speaker, particularly on issues around tax administration and technology. He previously worked as a tax partner at AC Mole & Sons and is currently an adviser to several software businesses. He has been a CIOT council member since 2017, chairing the Diploma in Tax Technology Committee and also sitting on the Audit and Risk Committee. As a former president of ICAEW (2018-19), and expected to take the presidency of CIOT in 2026-27, he is set to become the first person to hold the position for both organisations.
John Barnett, who will become the new Vice-President, is a Partner at law firm Burges Salmon. He has been a CIOT Council member since 2014 and chairs the Institute’s Technical Policy and Oversight Committee, as well as sitting on the Private Client (International) and Private Client (UK) committees. He was a contributor to the 2020 Wealth Tax Commission, is a member of the CenTax Advisory Board and is a former chair of Presiding Judges for the STEP Private Client Awards.
Nichola Ross Martin said:
“I am thrilled and honoured to be taking on the role of President of CIOT next month. I look forward to working alongside my fellow officers to help drive forward the Institute’s important work and build on the work of my predecessor, Charlotte Barbour.
“I joined the CIOT Council in 2017 and have seen first hand the vital work that our Institute does in promoting good tax policy and practice. This ranges from our acclaimed CTA qualification to our in-depth technical work, and of course improving public understanding of the tax system.
“I am looking forward to working with CIOT Council members and staff in 2025-26, and using my presidential year to meet more members, staff and other colleagues.”
Notes for editors
- Find out more about the CIOT Council.