Christoph Küppers, formerly a partner at KPMG, joins Lovells as a tax partner based in Düsseldorf today, 1 October 2001. He is the fourth German tax partner appointed by Lovells in the last 18 months and his arrival further strengthens the firm's international tax practice, which now comprises of 16 partners.
Christoph (40) is qualified as a lawyer, tax advisor and chartered accountant. He specialises in corporate tax work and tax work relating to the insurance industry. He was previously chairman of KPMG's National Tax Insurance Network in Germany.
Tax is a key practice area for Lovells, it was a particularly strong practice area for Boesebeck Droste in Germany and, since the merger with Lovell White Durrant, Lovells has invested further in it. Stephan Geibel was elected a partner based in Munich in May 2000, Dr Jörg Siegels joined as a partner based in Frankfurt in June 2000 and Ruth Zehetmeier-Müller was elected a partner based in the Munich office in May 2001. Over the same period there have been 5 other elections to the international tax practice, in London, New York, Paris, Rome and Warsaw.
Dr Jöoerg Siegels, head of Lovells German tax practice, said:
"Our European tax practice focuses on the high end of the domestic and international market – in Germany, notably on M&A deals and on instructions related to our capital markets and financial services work.
Much of the tax work is in Frankfurt and Munich, but corporate activity in the Dusseldorf area is also very busy, as it accommodates the HQs of most of Germany's industrial and trading conglomerates. Christoph's expertise will be much in demand there, given his reputation as a very able lawyer. We will also be introducing him to our insurance and reinsurance clients, and the developers who instruct us on projects work: here too we expect his input to be welcomed."
Dr Christoph Küppers said:
"Tax work is moving away from the accountancy firms towards the global law firms with a significant tax profile. Lovells' international approach and full service philosophy is therefore very attractive. I'm also looking forward to working with Joörg, whom I have known for nearly 20 years, and with his colleagues in what is clearly a very collegiate partnership."
Notes to Editor:
Christoph Küppers
- Dr Küppers is triple qualified as a lawyer, tax advisor and chartered accountant. He also has a degree in business administration and economics.
- He has been with KPMG in Cologne since May 1994, becoming chairman of the firm's National Tax Insurance Network in 1996 and a partner in 1999.
- Previously, he was with Arthur Anderson from November 1992 to April 1994.
- He is a fluent German, English and Dutch speaker.