The award was made in recognition of Mr Francis’s significant contribution to tax debate in Edinburgh, his leadership within the Edinburgh branch over many years, and the role he has played in creating and establishing a hugely effective and popular network.

During that time, he has played a leading role in organising a number of high profile and influential events, he has spoken on tax subjects at the Scottish and English national conferences of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and at the STEP, Scotland conference, and has given talks to other local branches.  Councils have also noted his contribution over many years in the press and tax journals.

He said: “It is a great honour, but it simply adds bells and whistles to the honour of being a CTA and Fellow of CIOT and working in trust and tax – fields in which the profession shows such vivid interest. If you do the work, you should be prepared to talk about it – and encourage others to do the same. I am. And, luckily, I’ve found plenty of others.”