The Dains Group has announced the promotion of three directors to Partner as it drives its mission of becoming the leading business advisory firm across the UK and Ireland.
The new Partners – Rebecca Jones (Corporate Tax), Samantha Johnson (Payroll), and James Shepherd (Employment Tax) – reflect Dains’ continued investment in its people, its commitment to specialist expertise, and the strategic expansion of services that support businesses and their employees.
Rebecca Jones – Corporate Tax Partner
Based in Birmingham and with a strong client base across the Black Country and Shropshire, Rebecca Jones is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor with more than 15 years of experience advising owner-managed businesses on complex tax affairs.
Her expertise spans succession and remuneration planning, R&D tax incentives, EMI share schemes, and corporate restructuring. She also supports a portfolio of not-for-profit clients, with deep sector knowledge in manufacturing and engineering.
Jones said: "I’m delighted to step into a Partner role and continue building trusted relationships with ambitious businesses across the region. Dains is a firm that truly values people - clients and colleagues alike - and I’m proud to be part of that journey."
Samantha Johnson – Payroll Partner
Samantha Johnson has become Dains’ first-ever Payroll Partner - a milestone that reflects the firm’s commitment to payroll as a strategic service. With more than 15 years of experience across public, private, and outsourced payroll environments, Johnson leads payroll operations across all regions from the Lichfield office.
Head of the Payroll Service Line, she is responsible for shaping strategy, driving integration, and ensuring our clients receive a high-quality, value-driven service. Her legal background underpins a strong compliance-led approach and informs her role in governance and operational leadership.
Johnson said: “This is a huge personal milestone, but more importantly, it reflects the support of an exceptional team and a firm that truly values the role of payroll. I’m proud to be Dains’ first Payroll Partner - a clear signal of how seriously we take payroll and the impact it has on our clients and their people.”
James Shepherd – Employment Taxes Partner
James Shepherd joined Dains in 2024 and brings more than 20 years of experience in employment tax, expatriate tax, and employee reward, including senior roles at Big Four firms and as Head of Employment and Expat Tax at National Grid.
Based in Birmingham, he advises on IR35, cross-border workers, minimum wage compliance, and reward structuring - with a specialist focus on the recruitment sector and international mobility through Dains’ AGN network membership.
Shepherd said: “Employment costs are one of the biggest pressures on businesses today - and our job is to help clients navigate these challenges with confidence. I’m thrilled to become a Partner at a time when Dains is making such a bold investment in employment and payroll services."