Kate Cottrell, the UK’s foremost IR35 adviser, dies, aged 68

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Kate Cottrell, founder and managing director of Bauer & Cottrell, peacefully at home on the 17th of October after a short illness.

This is a profoundly difficult time for our company, and we know many of you have known and worked with Kate personally over the years and will therefore share our loss.

Kate founded Bauer & Cottrell in 2006, a few years after the implementation of IR35, embarking on a mission to provide specialist IR35 help to contractors navigating the complexities of the legislation. Over the years, Kate undertook many high-profile engagements, including being appointed by the Office of Tax Simplification as an expert IR35 policy advisor, tasked with undertaking the review of IR35 and writing the report for the then Chancellor of the Exchequer; being a founder and serving member on HMRC’s IR35 Forum and being appointed to assist the House of Lords committee on the use of Personal Service Companies. As a result, Kate became one of the UK’s most well-known and respected IR35 and off-payroll working rules experts – or you could say, an IR35 Legend!

Kate’s expertise, and that of her team of specialists, has earned B&C the outstanding reputation and industry-leading status it enjoys today. Kate's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and her contributions have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of IR35 and the off-payroll working rules in the UK.

Kate’s care, guidance and unwavering support for her staff made her both a privilege and a pleasure to work for, and whilst things will never be quite the same for us, Kate’s wish was for Bauer & Cottrell to continue providing the valuable services that are so needed by contractors and clients in the current tax status landscape.  Therefore, following Kate’s wishes, Charlie Hemsworth, our senior tax consultant, will be taking leadership of the business moving forward.

As we come to terms with this profound loss, Bauer and Cottrell will continue in Kate’s memory, and we find comfort in the knowledge that Kate's legacy will continue to inspire us and drive us to reach new heights.

By the team at Bauer & Cottrell.

20/10/2023