Technology Scotland recently caught up with our member, ForrestBrown, for our Member Spotlight series. We find out about who ForrestBrown are and what they do, why they joined Technology Scotland, and much more! Take a look below and get to know them.
What does your organisation do?
ForrestBrown is a trusted partner to many of the UK’s most innovative businesses.
Our R&D tax expertise helps secure funding to support advances in knowledge and capability, contributing to the UK becoming a science and technology superpower.
Having made our reputation delivering R&D tax relief claims, we’ve enhanced our support for SMEs and large businesses to encompass a range of services which we provide though our FB Consulting arm. This includes claim reviews, enquiry support, due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and tax dispute resolution.
We also apply the knowledge developed from a decade at the forefront of R&D tax relief to other innovation incentives, including Patent Box, grants and capital allowances.
Our mission remains to help innovative business grow and we do this through our combination of technical tax expertise and specialist sector experience, underpinned by a commitment championing professional standards in our field.
What is your organisation’s biggest achievement?
It’s our mission to help innovative businesses grow and we’re privileged to see first-hand the positive impact incentives such as R&D tax relief deliver for our clients. The funding we’ve helped clients secure translates to more than 12,000 technical jobs across the UK – a vital pathway for future talent in science, technology and engineering careers.
Our success was recognised again by our peers in the Tolley’s Taxation Awards this year, where we were named Best Independent Consultancy firm for the third time. When we first won back in 2016, we were disrupters in the market for R&D tax relief advice. Fast forward to 2023 and the judges made special mention of our contribution to raising professional standards, highlighting our integrity in what they described as a crowded market. In a time of unprecedented change for innovation incentives, this endorsement is a fantastic accolade.
Tell us something exciting about your organisation
We recently appointed Karim Budabuss to establish a new grant advisory service, building on the support we provide to innovative businesses through R&D tax relief, Patent Box and capital allowances.
Karim previously led decarbonisation grant advisory services for a Big Four consultancy and brings in-depth knowledge and a strong track-record of securing funding for clients, helping them achieve their objectives by making the most efficient use of government grant opportunities.
Karim’s appointment means ForrestBrown can now support clients with this key component of the innovation toolkit. As well as conducting feasibility appraisals and preparing grant applications, our horizon scanning service will identify opportunities for businesses across a range of sectors, including technology companies.
Why did you join Technology Scotland?
Earlier this year, we moved into new office space on Bothwell Street in Glasgow to accommodate our growing team in Scotland. ForrestBrown has been helping Scottish companies secure R&D tax relief to reward their investment in innovation for several years, and the move to a larger office strengthens our capacity to provide specialist, local expertise.
Recent research by ForrestBrown highlighted Scotland’s strengths as a location for innovation. But although Scotland is at the cutting edge in many areas of technology, HMRC R&D tax credit statistics indicate that fewer Scottish businesses are claiming R&D tax relief compared to the UK as a whole.
ForrestBrown’s growing presence in Scotland can help address this shortfall, ensuring eligible businesses are able to navigate changes to R&D tax policy to secure the reward their investment in innovation deserves.
As members of Technology Scotland we’re well placed to keep members up to date on the new rulebook for R&D tax relief and changes to the wider innovation toolkit. Membership also enables us to keep our fingers on the pulse when it comes to developments in the tech sector. Understanding the issues and opportunities facing members helps us ensure our services remain practical and relevant.