Colin De Freyne

Education

Honours in Geography / Geology  - University of Wales

Position

Partner, Tax

Professional

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 1985
• New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants - practicing member
• International Fiscal Association – member

Colin has 25 years tax experience commencing his career in the UK with Pricewaterhouse.  He spent 18 years with Ernst Young before joining Grant Thornton New Zealand in 2009. He has been the lead tax advisor to many private and public companies, advising on structure, strategy and transactions.

Colin has a broad range of experience involving income tax compliance, income tax planning (both domestic and cross border) through to advising on the alignment of tax strategies to broader corporate objectives.  In particular, this has involved advice for many companies to align stakeholder and corporate objectives.

With exposure to a number of sectors from energy to entrepreneurial business and exporting, Colin’s roles have been numerous and varied including involvement with the implementation of GST in Australia, development of national series of exporting workshops and working closely with the IRD’s Policy Advice Division.

Outside interests

Accepting that his soccer career is over, Colin took up cycling with enthusiasm and participates in events of up to 160km in distance.  Even the rest of the family are keen to get involved. Colin also enjoys skiing, the theatre and attending concerts. Colin has been on the Board of Managers of Kohi Presbyterian Church for four years.