What do you do?

I help companies claim financial incentives from the government. Including Research and Development Tax Relief (R&D). Companies don’t need to be setting the world alight to claim these incentives, you know? You could just be trying to do something a bit different with science or technology, such as developing new or improving existing products or processes. And you don’t even have to succeed! It’s my job to help you understand the potential and breadth of these generous incentives for your organisation.

Why do you do it?

I fell into it originally but have always worked in R&D and technology fields throughout my career from my PhD research in Astrophysics, being an IT Consultant through to specialising in tax incentives for companies carrying out R&D.  But now I do it I love seeing the difference it makes to a company when I help them secure the R&D cash, or corporation tax relief – the extra money can be game changing.

What kind of projects have you been involved in?

I help all sorts of companies from engineering firms to software houses, helping clients get anywhere from a few tens of thousands of pounds to a few hundred thousands of pounds of cash to reinvest in their own product development. Over the last 3 years we’ve helped put more than £36m back into the hands of businesses (from the Government) to invest in R&D activity.

What’s on top of your bucket list?

Sailing round the Caribbean in an old, proper sail boat.  I love the simplicity of needing nothing more than the wind for power and the stars to guide me in one of the most beautiful locations on Earth.