As ETL GLOBAL celebrates 10 years of empowering SMEs, the spotlight turns to the people and firms who have helped shape its international reach. Among them is Sheltons Group, an accounting and law firm whose expertise in international tax and cross-border advisory work reflects the network’s global outlook.
In this interview, Ned Shelton, founder of the firm, looks back on a career that has bridged two continents, the early steps that planted the seed for his own practice, and how his team continues to support clients through their offices in Denmark, the UK, Malta, Singapore, and Australia.
From Rural Australia to a Permanent Life in Europe
Ned Shelton’s life has been marked from an early age by movement and change, something that has become part of him both professionally and personally. Born on a farm in the Australian countryside, he later moved to Sydney when the time came for his secondary education. There he attended St Ignatius College, a boarding school that exposed him to a broader education and to life in the big city. That transition set the stage for his university years, which he would also spend in Sydney.
At the University of New South Wales, Ned studied a double degree in accounting and law. The combination gave him both a financial and legal foundation, but it was taxation that soon became the subject he wanted to pursue further. On qualifying as a chartered accountant, he began his professional career at HLB Mann Judd. A few years later, he moved to Arthur Andersen, then the largest accounting firm in the world, where he gained experience working at the highest level of the profession.
With that grounding, Ned felt ready to take his first step abroad “I wanted to live somewhere different for a little while,” he recalls. He then decided to accept a position in Denmark as Head of International Tax at the country’s largest bank. But what began as a short posting changed the course of his life. In Denmark, he found love when he met Nina, who would become his wife, and what was planned as three years abroad became the foundation of a permanent life in Europe.
Professional Beginnings Across Europe
After establishing himself in Denmark, Ned and Nina spent a period in the Netherlands. At Schiphol Airport, he created a specialist international tax division within an accounting firm, which he later bought out himself. The location, at one of Europe’s busiest transport areas, made it a natural centre for international clients and gave him the chance to run a practice under his own direction. It was the first seed in Ned’s trajectory as an entrepreneur, an experience that would later lead him to establish his own firm.
When the couple eventually decided to return to Denmark, Ned sold the Dutch office and began setting up a new base in Copenhagen. This was both a professional and personal turning point, and it marked the beginning of Sheltons Group as it is known today. At first, the focus was purely on international tax consulting. Over time, the firm broadened its scope to include accounting and compliance services alongside advisory work, evolving into a full accounting and law firm, and becoming a one-stop service for internationally active businesses.
In parallel, the arrival of reliable digital communication allowed Ned to expand his vision to new locations including Sydney, London, Malta, and Singapore. The company’s reach expanded, but the model remained focus and true to its origins. “We’ve remained a small firm, with each office intentionally kept compact.” Ned explains. Alongside businesses, Sheltons Group also supported individuals with international lives, expatriates or investors with assets abroad. “We don’t have purely local clients, there always has to be a cross-border element,” he adds.
Discovering ETL GLOBAL
It was 10 years ago that Ned Shelton first came into contact with ETL GLOBAL. “A representative reached out to us and said: we don’t have any representation in Denmark, can we come and meet you?” Ned remembers. At the time Sheltons Group was independent, and joining the network was a logical extension of its international outlook.
What impressed Ned was the character of the network itself. “It was very professional, very well run. I also liked that it was based in Germany, not in the traditional centres like London or New York.” For him, ETL GLOBAL’s European roots felt like a natural fit after decades living on the continent.
Conferences soon became an important part of the experience. “I’ve always enjoyed them,” Ned says. “I love meeting people from different parts of the world.” One moment he remembers clearly is the ETL GLOBAL Conference in Lisbon in 2022, when the organisers introduced a speed-dating networking format. Participants had only a few minutes with each colleague before moving on to the next, exchanging cards and introducing their firms. “It was lively, a great idea, and a lot of fun,” Ned recalls with a laugh. “The energy in the room was fantastic, but I had only brought a handful of business cards when I should have had 300.”
Ned Shelton at the networking session during the 2022 ETL GLOBAL Conference in Lisbon.
Sheltons Group Evolution Within the Network
Becoming part of ETL GLOBAL gradually influenced Sheltons Group identity. At first, the firm kept a low profile, cautious about how existing referrers in other countries might react. “We didn’t want those firms in Portugal or Canada to feel alienated if they discovered we were part of a network that might also operate in their territory,” Ned explains. But as ETL GLOBAL grew, Sheltons Group embraced its membership more openly. “We realised it was such an advantage that it should be part of our identity. Today, ETL GLOBAL is in our e-mail signatures, which is key in our world because almost all of our client work is done by e-mail.”
Referrals from within the network have been welcome. “Just this week I’ve spoken with two ETL firms in Germany about Australia,” Ned says. “It’s always a pleasure. We really enjoy those conversations.” Looking ahead, he expects even more collaboration, especially with Australian-owned companies planning to expand abroad.
Education at the Core of Sheltons Group
One of the features that makes Sheltons Group stand out is its role in training. Alongside the firm’s advisory work, Ned developed Sheltons International Tax Training Institute (SITTI). Over the years, SITTI has organised courses in cities across the world, from Brazil and India to numerous locations across Europe. Participants range from professionals in accounting and law firms to corporate tax teams and government authorities.
“It’s unusual for a firm of our size to be so active in international training,” Ned explains. The programmes have included courses for the South Korean tax office, the Norwegian tax office, and the Mexican tax administration, as well as long-term in-house training for Shell. ETL firms have also joined, particularly in London sessions.
The impact has been lasting. “I’m very well known in Mexico and Brazil in the accounting and legal world because of our training courses there,” Ned says. This educational dimension has given Sheltons Group a global reputation that extends beyond its client work.
Looking Ahead: The Profession and the Next Generation
Reflecting on the present and future of the profession, Ned points to the growing role of technology. “AI is playing a bigger and bigger role,” he observes. But he believes the real key for young professionals lies in how they connect with others. His advice is simple: don’t just look upwards to the senior partners, but sideways to those just a few years ahead. “If you’re 22, speak to someone who’s 24, 25, 26. The older generation has wisdom, but they’re often less able to predict where things are going. The ones just above you are closer to the changes.”
When asked what keeps him motivated after so many years in practice, Ned highlights both sides of his work. “I’ve always enjoyed the complexity of international tax and the problem-solving it requires,” he says. “At the same time, meeting people from different parts of the world and helping them with the challenges of working across borders is what makes the work truly rewarding.” It is this blend of expertise and connection that has defined his career so far, and that continues to drive his work with Sheltons Group and within ETL GLOBAL.
A look back at sheltons group
