UK Head of Tax

The London tax department currently comprises five staff who are responsible for ING Wholesale Bank’s direct and indirect tax compliance for the UK and Middle East (with oversight on employment taxes), tax advice to ING Wholesale Bank’s front office functions (including structured lending, financial markets and corporate advisor), internal management/stakeholders, and support to the Group Tax department in Amsterdam, including Group reporting and Group policy implementation.

Roles and responsibilities

• Ensure the UK and Middle East (Dubai and Saudi Arabia) meet statutory obligations and reporting requirements for tax purposes, and submit accurate and timely tax returns and payments to the relevant tax authorities.
• Provide expert tax advice and recommendations to the UK Management Team, Group Tax function and businesses/support functions on the tax implications of current or proposed corporate strategies/projects, products and transactions, and the location of activities.
• Maintain a monitoring and risk reporting framework to enable monitoring of the current tax position and early identification of tax issues, risks or opportunities requiring action.
• Represent ING’s relationship with HMRC and liaise with the relevant tax authorities in the Middle East, maintaining strong lines of communication and conducting negotiations as needed.
• Influence UK tax policy by taking a lead role in industry discussions and networking with advisors and other Heads of Tax in the banking industry.
• Contribute to the overall management of the Group’s financial affairs, including quarterly sign off on Group reporting, and assist with internal and/or external audits.
• Continuously review and take appropriate opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and consistency through process, technology and/or people capability development.
• Lead, motivate and develop the Tax team to deliver high quality outputs while ensuring their personal and professional development.

How to succeed

This opportunity is for a seasoned and highly qualified tax professional with deep technical expertise and in‑house experience across a broad range of taxes within the finance function of a leading global bank. The role offers scope to develop capabilities, broaden exposure, and build a long‑term career with clear progression opportunities.

Requirements include strong working knowledge of UK tax compliance and advisory experience within relevant areas of financial services, and proven leadership experience. You should be able to lead, coach, and develop individuals effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a proactive, adaptable mindset to navigate change while maintaining a positive, strategic outlook.

Desirable: Knowledge of UAE and Saudi tax frameworks; strong IT skills, with an appreciation for evolving technologies and initiatives (e.g. AI).

Qualifications & Education

• Essential: Qualified tax or accounting professional (ACA and/or CTA) with training/experience gained within a reputable firm, industry, or HMRC.
• Desirable: Additional relevant qualifications or evidence of continued professional development.