UK
Ireland
Real Estate Tax Advisory
Transactional Tax Advisory
Cross-Border Tax Planning and Structuring
Tax Due Diligence
Tax Compliance and Reporting
Experience
Melissa is a Tax Partner specialising in advising international funds, corporates and family offices across the real estate investment lifecycle, from acquisition and development through to asset management, holding, refinancing, restructuring and exit. She has extensive experience across a broad range of real estate asset classes, including offices, logistics, hotels, student accommodation, data centres and the living sector.
Melissa specialises in complex UK and pan-European transactions, advising on both buy-side and sell-side tax due diligence, acquisition and disposal structuring, tax modelling, SPA tax provisions and negotiations, post-acquisition restructuring and ongoing tax advisory and compliance matters. She works closely with clients to identify opportunities, manage tax risk and deliver commercially effective outcomes aligned with their investment objectives.
Fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese, Melissa is particularly recognised for advising Asian funds, family offices and businesses expanding into the UK and Europe. She leads S&W's Asia Business Group, supporting clients investing across borders and providing access to the firm's multidisciplinary expertise and international network.
Melissa regularly leads teams across tax, transaction services, deal advisory, audit and other specialist disciplines to deliver integrated solutions for clients operating in sectors including real estate, fintech, automotive and technology-driven businesses.
Clients value Melissa for her technical expertise, commercial insight and pragmatic approach. She is known for building long-term relationships and providing practical advice that supports investment, growth and value creation.
Notable client work and achievements
Advised on the tax due diligence and acquisition structuring of multiple logistics portfolios across several European jurisdictions for a global real estate fund.
Advised on the tax due diligence and acquisition structuring of a pan-European data centre portfolio for a Singapore REIT.
Advised several Asian family offices on the acquisition and structuring of UK commercial office and hotel investments.
Advised on the tax due diligence on a significant mixed-use commercial and residential portfolio acquisition for a UK REIT.
Advised on the establishment of a UK REIT and Qualifying Asset Holding Company (QAHC) structure for a sovereign wealth fund and subsequently advised on the acquisition of a major UK commercial real estate portfolio.
Advised on the establishment of a UK REIT structure for a Singapore REIT as part of its UK investment strategy.
Professional qualifications/memberships
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
