IAN Fleming, VAT specialist at Armstrong Watson, has been elected chairman of the North East chapter of the VAT practitioners group.

It is the first time a specialist from outside the top six firms of chartered accountants has held the post.

As chairman, Mr Fleming is automatically appointed to the group's national council, which consults Customs and Excise on VAT and other indirect taxes.

He is also a member of the group's rural issues technical committee, that consults with government on taxation issues affecting farming and estate management.

Carlisle-based Armstrong Watson has offices across northern England and southern Scotland, including Kendal and Appleby.