What do you do?

I lead the CP Innovation team. I use my engineering background, tax qualification and R&D tax relief experience of 23 years to help companies claim their share of generous tax reliefs and consider the cash position of the whole of their “Innovation Lifecycle”.

I can speak to the client’s finance team about the positive cashflow impact any innovation based claims will have on the company’s accounts but I’m equally at home on the shop floor, talking to the engineers, technicians and scientists about what they’re actually doing. Only by being able to do that, can you really understand their projects and then seek to maximise the company’s tax incentives claims and cash position. This is why I love my job, I get to “look under the bonnet”, sometimes literally!

I often get feedback that a company has spoken to numerous other advisors regarding R&D specifically, but that I’d explained it to them in a way that, for the first time, they really “got” exactly what could be included and to what extent. I have a proven track record of improving claims made by less experienced advisors.

Why do you do it?

I love making a real difference to UK businesses. Since I joined CP in July 2017, we’ve helped our clients to over £100m of benefit. That’s enabled them to hire new staff, buy new plant & even move to new premises!

What kind of projects have you been involved in?

Anything and everything from automotive and Formula 1 to metal bashers, recyclers, printers, software developers, manufacturers and food & drink companies. It’s my mission to remove the misconceptions associated with R&D tax credits (as to what qualifies), and help them consider other innovation offerings, to benefit as many companies as possible.

What’s on top of your bucket list?

To fly a Harrier. I always wanted to join the Navy as a Sea Harrier pilot when I was growing up (unfortunately I’m colour blind!).