People’s Champion Finalist: ForrestBrown

Start-up name: ForrestBrown
Founder: Simon Brown
Started in: 2013
Based in: Bristol
Business description: Business consultancy focused on R&D tax credits 

Shortlisted category:

Service Business of the Year

The ForrestBrown story:

The government offers fairly generous research and development (R&D) tax relief yet many businesses are unaware of the incentives available to them – which is where Forrest Brown comes in. 

Founded in 2013 by Simon Brown, ForrestBrown specialises in “making R&D tax credits simple” and wants to help innovative business grow by helping them navigate the R&D tax credit scheme and maximise the relief available.

Working predominantly with start-ups and growing businesses across tech, digital, engineering, manufacturing and healthcare, Simon Brown’s consultancy firm has achieved a 100% success rate in claims submitted and, in 2014, recovered an impressive £9.5m in tax credits for clients.

Having grown to a 21-strong team of Chartered Tax advisors, including two members of the Association of Taxation Technicians and a former HMRC tax operator, the start-up asserts that its success is down to its “extensive technical knowledge” and understanding of the way HMRC operates. What’s more, the business remains unfazed by competition from the ‘Big Four’ – claiming they’re “able to offer clients a level of service which the generalist tax firms struggle to achieve”.

With a target to generate £70m of savings for clients by the end of 2016, the company has ambitious growth plans and, having recently relocated to new offices, has hinted at the addition of a further 10 hires.

Why ForrestBrown made our 60:

Forrest Brown has muscled into a competitive market with ease. The solid reputation it has achieved in such a short time span is impressive and its talented workforce is equally notable. 

Where to find out more about ForrestBrown:

Website: forrestbrown.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/ForrestBrownTax