Bristol-based research and development tax credit consultancy ForrestBrown has recruited its 50thstaff member less than four years after it was set up.
The firm has experienced rapid growth with turnover doubling each year and is now the largest team of chartered tax advisers specialising solely in research and development (R&D) tax credits in the UK.
It advises more than 100 companies a month and last year its clients benefited by more than £50m from credits.
The firm’s sustained business growth has led to seven new hires in the past quarter alone, including a senior tax manager, two tax associates, a digital marketing executive, technical specialist, sales manager and front of house co-ordinator.
The firm will continue to grow with another four tax managers due to join before the end of the year, and more to support further growth into 2018.
The new senior tax manager is John McGhee, who with 20 years in the industry, brings a wealth of experience to ForrestBrown having held roles at Ernst & Young (now EY), PwC and Deloitte.
While helping to build client and partner relationships, John will also have a broader role in helping the firm’s staff to develop professionally.
Founder and managing director Simon Brown said: “We pride ourselves on having a strong team with considerable technical firepower, and the new faces continue to bring these skills to the table.
“Our new team members will be helping clients in exciting industries – like aviation, technology, fashion and publishing – to grow, by delivering cash that could spark the next big project, or fund the final push in creating something remarkable.
“Overall, it’s a really exciting time for ForrestBrown. Not only are we expanding, we’re also investing heavily in training for our entry-level recruits. We became an accredited ICAEW training provider last year, and have this year sponsored ten employees through their professional tax qualifications. We hope to expand this programme even further as we continue to grow as a business.”
The arrival of its 50th employee coincides with the launch of ForrestBrown’s dedicated careers website.
Simon added: “R&D tax credits might sound niche – or even boring – to the wider tax industry, but for us at ForrestBrown they are just the opposite. We feel privileged to witness our client’s innovation first-hand and delivering for them gives us a shared purpose that I am confident every single member of staff is proud of.
“It’s encouraging to see that our start-up culture continues to attract talented staff, and I’m excited to see who joins our growing team in the next six months.”
Simon Brown was recently named Young Director of the Year at the Institute of Directors South West 2017 Awards, while director Lisa-Marie Smith was recognised as Taxation’s Rising Star at the Taxation Awards 2017 in May.
Pictured: ForrestBrown managing director Simon Brown, front, celebrates the 50th employee milestone with his team
