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Gamekeeper to Poacher: Former HMRC Enforcement Officer Launches OFW Solutions to Help Businesses Tackle Tax Debt
Former HMRC Enforcement Officer with 33 years’ experience launches specialist consultancy to help businesses tackle tax debt and prevent enforcement action.
After more than three decades working for HMRC enforcement, Stuart McPhee is now using his knowledge of the tax system to help businesses with HMRC debt.
As an HMRC Field Collection Officer, Stuart visited thousands of individuals and businesses across the UK, negotiating payment arrangements, managing complex debt cases and carrying out enforcement action when necessary.
Now, having moved from enforcing HMRC debt to helping businesses resolve it, Stuart brings a unique understanding of both sides of the process.
“ After 33 years working within HMRC, I understand how the system operates, what options are available and how important it is for businesses to act early,” said Stuart.
“ My aim is not to criticise the system, but to help businesses understand their position, explore their options and find realistic solutions that allow them to move forward. Speaking to someone early can make a massive difference. The earlier someone seeks advice, the more options there usually are available.”
During his HMRC career, Stuart dealt with a wide range of tax regimes, including PAYE, VAT, Self-Assessment and Corporation Tax. Over the course of his career, Stuart carried out over 40,000 visits across the North West and beyond, with billions of pounds of debt passing through his hands during his time within HMRC. This first-hand experience now allows OFW Solutions to provide businesses with practical advice and support before situations escalate.
OFW Solutions specialises in helping companies and individuals dealing with HMRC arrears, offering support with:
Stuart McPhee
• HMRC debt negotiation and Time to Pay arrangements
• PAYE, VAT, Corporation Tax and Self-Assessment issues
• Preventing unnecessary enforcement action
• Developing strategic debt management plans
• Expert negotiation with HMRC
• Providing confidential guidance for businesses under financial pressure
Since launching OFW Solutions, Stuart has secured more than 64 Time to Pay arrangements, totalling over £ 14.5 million in HMRC debt, while also helping businesses avoid further enforcement action and potential closure.
Stuart’ s extensive experience and understanding of HMRC processes allows him to provide businesses with clarity during what can often be an overwhelming and stressful time.
“ Many business owners feel anxious when dealing with HMRC debt because they don’ t know what will happen next,” said Stuart.
“ My job is to provide reassurance, explain the process and help them understand their options. Sometimes people just need someone who knows the system and can guide them through it.”
With a career built on understanding HMRC’ s processes from the inside, Stuart is now using that knowledge to bridge the gap between businesses and the tax system, offering the guidance, support and practical solutions clients need when they need them most.
Stuart started with an accounting firm and HMRC straight from school and worked his way up. In his role, although his objective was to retrieve money owed, he always worked with businesses and was a top collector because of his pragmatic and considered approach for the best outcome for all sides.
Stuart has come across all types of businesses, and at this time in his career it’ s fair to say he is unshockable. He has learnt a lot from the businesses through taking the time to understand how they operate and through a nonjudgemental approach.
With the nature of the job changing into something new, Stuart’ s huge experience and his desire to help people, he made the decision to put his skills to the life blood of the UK economy: companies, SME’ s and the private sector.
Stuart serves the whole of the UK and will fight for your business with you, knowing just how much goes into keeping a business alive and how important retaining jobs is. His goal now is to challenge his old HMRC record within the private sector and help as many people as possible.
Stuart is a down-to-earth Scotsman who wants to help companies protect what they have built and have some adventures and more stories whilst doing that.
Contact: Stuart McPhee, OFW Solutions Ltd. Blackpool, North West, UK info @ ofwsolutions. co. uk www. ofwsolutions. co. uk
40 | Autumn 2026