Our People

• London University (LLB)

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
• Institute of Taxation in Ireland
• Institute of Taxation UK (Chartered Tax Advisor)

Head of Tax

For more than 20 years, John has advised Fortune 500, FTSE 100 and other major multi-nationals in respect of international tax. He regularly works with some of the world's leading tax lawyers and advisers on transactions structured in and through Ireland.

He has a particular focus on advising groups in respect of the use of Ireland as their EMEA intellectual property operating platform with a view to maximising the benefit of the 12.5 per cent Irish tax rate.

John was educated at the University of London (LLB(Hons)), is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Irish Institute of Tax and is a UK Chartered Tax Adviser.

Areas of Expertise:

• Tax

Representative Matters:

• Acted as Irish tax counsel to Berkshire Partners LLC, Advent International Corporation and Bain Capital Partners LLC in their recommended $1.1 billion acquisition by way of scheme of arrangement for SkillSoft plc.

• Acted as sole Irish tax counsel for UK quoted Vedanta Resources plc in connection with its acquisition of zinc mining interests in Ireland as part of its agreement with Anglo American plc to purchase African and Irish zinc mining interests for $1.34 billion.

• Acted as Irish tax counsel to Mylan Inc., which ranks among the leading generic and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world, in respect of its $550 million cash acquisition of Bioniche Pharma Holdings Ltd., an Irish based global distributor of generic injectable drugs.

• Acted as Irish tax counsel to LaCrosse in respect of its acquisition from Bank of America Merill Lynch’s global alternative fund administration business that will increase the group’s funds under administration from $15 billion to $21 billion.

• Acted as exclusive Irish tax counsel to BNP Paribas in its multi-billion Euro bid for the Polish assets of AIB.

• Acted as Irish tax Counsel to Samsung in its US$1 billion plus disposal of its hard Disc drive business to Irish incorporated parent, Seagate Technology.

• Acted as joint Irish tax Counsel to Odeon Cinema's in its acquisition of one of the largest cinema chains in Ireland.

Recommendations:

Chambers Global - The World's Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2012.
John is recommended in the area of ‘Tax’. Commentators describe John Gulliver as an imaginative consultant capable of suggesting alternative tax structures in challenging scenarios. His dedication also wins approval with clients maintaining that “he is always available and extremely helpful.” 

Chambers Europe - Europe's Leading Business Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2011.
John is recommended in the area of ‘Tax’. 'Recent arrival John Gulliver now heads the department. He brings with him extensive experience of cross-border M&A and also handles inward investment projects.'

Chambers Global - The World's Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2011.
John is recommended in the area of ‘Tax’. ‘Head of department John Gulliver is a recent addition to the firm. His presence has had a significant impact, with sources saying: "His contribution is game-changing." He has been involved in high-profile work such as Vedanta's US$1.3 billion structured acquisition of Anglo American's zinc mining assets.’ 

Legal 500, 2011
John is recommended in the area of ‘Tax’, where they comment ‘the hire of John Gulliver has shifted the focus of the team and raised its profile. It recently advised Mylan, Dragon Oil and Vedanta Resources.’