Edward Troup has rejoined Simmons & Simmons as head of tax strategy after two years as special adviser to Kenneth Clarke at the Treasury.

Troup, who was head of corporate tax at Simmons until 1995, advised Clarke on the 1995 and 1996 budgets, and also worked closely with the Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise.

His successor as head of tax, Stephen Coleclough, left the firm to join Coopers & Lybrand earlier this year complaining of “ridiculous hours”.

Troup said his experience in private practice and at the Institute for Fiscal Studies Capital Taxes Group had brought fresh insights into tax policy at the Treasury. He added that he was looking forward to “helping clients cope with the tax system as it develops under the new Government.”