- by Sara Brigden
Insights
We take an in-depth look at amazing innovation that’s going on in different sectors. Our articles showcase the way our world is changing through technology and how innovative companies can make use of R&D tax credits. We also share technical advice, and news about ForrestBrown.
- by Phil Smith
Celebrating Motorsport Valley, our F1 industry and the technology that makes it into the cars we drive
It’s the weekend of the 2017 British Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone. So what better time to take a look at the thriving motorsport industry in the UK? We’ll look at some of the research and development (R&D) that goes into F1 racing cars, and how that technology is transferred into the road cars we all drive.
RegTech – How technology is helping business comply with regulation
Since the 2008 financial crisis, regulations imposed on financial services businesses have become more burdensome. The financial crisis demonstrated the paramount importance of strong regulation and financial stability.
- by Anna Walton
Mark Mason – now an MBE – on the digital economy past and future
Huge congratulations to our chairman, Mark Mason, who was made an MBE in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday honours. The title is in recognition of Mark’s services to the digital economy, in which he has been involved throughout his career.
- by Rebecca Wass
Travel technology – technological developments in travel & tourism
TravelTech – technology that is used and developed within the travel and tourism industry – is revolutionising the way in which we travel.
- by Tom Heslin
Chatbots – Look who’s talking now
They started in the domain of sci-fi. Do you remember HAL 9000, the talking supercomputer in ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’? But now, real chatbots have become so advanced they are being used across a wide range of sectors.
Unlocking innovation for SMEs
In her latest article for Taxation magazine, Jenny Tragner, a ForrestBrown director, shows how research and development (R&D) tax credits can boost innovation and stimulate growth in SMEs.
- by Leanne Davy
ForrestBrown team grows to 50
There was a time when we were able to welcome a new employee with their own blog post introducing them to the company. ForrestBrown has been in business since September 2013, and that trend is now impossible to continue.
Seven ways LED technology is lighting up our lives
When it comes to lightbulb moments, the LED revolution that is going on right now is truly inspired. Offering huge efficiency savings, precise control and a wide range of practical applications, LEDs are the future of lighting.
Simon Brown, ForrestBrown MD, wins the IoD South West Young Director of the Year Award 2017
ForrestBrown have enjoyed yet more award-ceremony success. Last night, our managing director and founder, Simon Brown, won the IoD South West Young Director of the Year Award 2017!
- by Rebecca Wass
Developing underwater ROVs – Remotely Operated Vehicles
Underwater ROVs, or Remotely Operated Vehicles to give them their full name, have become a key marine technology.
- by Sara Brigden
ForrestBrown director Lisa-Marie Smith wins Taxation’s Rising Star award
We are over the moon to announce that Lisa-Marie Smith, one of our directors, was last night recognised as Taxation’s Rising Star at the Taxation Awards 2017.
The real R&D of chemical manufacturers
Breaking Bad made chemistry cool. Fans of the show will know that getting your formulations right takes some serious research and development (R&D), whilst the rewards for bringing an innovative product to market can be rather lucrative.
- by Adam Kotas
New R&D prepayment service for high-growth SMEs
Innovative SMEs can now access their research and development (R&D) tax credit benefit early to help accelerate their growth, using ForrestBrown’s new bridging finance prepayment service.
- by Sara Brigden
ForrestBrown MD, Simon Brown, shortlisted for IoD South West Director of the Year Awards 2017
We’re thrilled to announce that our managing director and founder, Simon Brown, has been shortlisted for the IoD South West Director of the Year Awards 2017.
- by Laura Kidd
ForrestBrown success at Bristol Life Awards
ForrestBrown took their place among the night’s winners at the inaugural Bristol Life Awards in April 2017. Over 600 people gathered to celebrate the best of Bristol in a grand marquee at the Lloyds Amphitheatre on the Waterfront.
Retrotech: The R&D then and now
Retrotech is on the rise. Nostalgic returns to once loved technologies that have been rendered near obsolete by innovation over the decades. Sometimes retrotech is a revival of the original technology, other times it is a reimagining of bygone products using modern design techniques, materials and processes.
- by Tom Jones
Tech companies in Bristol: What’s new in Silicon Gorge in 2017
The Bristol and Bath region is regularly acclaimed as one of the most lively technology hubs in the UK. With a strong tradition in aerospace and the creative industries, it is now known as a hotbed of digital talent. Four universities churn out a continuous stream of graduates and the economy is thriving, with the technology sector being a major driver of that.
Our Industrial Strategy consultation response
The government must prioritise increasing awareness of its innovation incentives for start-ups and refining the research and development (R&D) tax credit system.
- by Kelly Oakley
The exciting use of virtual reality technology in 2017
After numerous false starts, virtual reality technology hasn’t turned our lives into an episode of Star Trek so far. But is that about to change?
- by Phil Smith
Construction R&D: funding for innovative solutions
At its most prominent, the £103 billion UK construction industry displays innovation and R&D on glittering towers and other high-profile building projects. It’s a rollercoaster industry which is often seen as a bell-weather for the UK economy, with the fortunes of construction companies dipping or rising depending on the economic outlook.
- by John McGhee
5G technology: How is our 5G future being built and what will it look like?
Since the development of the telegraph in the early 1800s the telecoms industry has been continuously innovating. Today the sector is more disruptive than ever.
- by Simon Brown
ForrestBrown director Lisa-Marie Smith shortlisted for “Rising Star” award
I am delighted to announce that our director Lisa-Marie Smith has been shortlisted for the “Rising Star” award at the 2017 Taxation Awards.
South By South West – Proud to see a client on stage
So what did I think of SXSW? Like a music festival but for business. Instead of muddy Somerset fields there was a shiny Texas conference centre. Same hit and miss food. Fried broccoli anyone?
- by Mark Mason
South By South West – A virgin’s experience
SXSW or “South by”, to use its street name, was an event I’d only ever heard talked about with a slightly manic form of enthusiasm. It was as if I hadn’t really lived until I had been. There had been many opportunities to go but I had never quite afforded myself the luxury of what seemed to an outsider as a pretty hedonistic, if not educational, experience. So finally, having unbridled myself with my last business, and with the diary looking somewhat tumbleweedish, I decided 2017 was going to be my year!
- by Simon Brown
Choosing the next step in your career – the Tarzan method
What a week it has been at SXSW in Austin, Texas. I certainly didn’t know what to expect when I arrived and it is hard to digest all that I’ve seen, but I have arrived back in the UK with a few takeaways. So, all in all a great eye-opening experience. The talk that gave me the most enjoyment was given by Casey Neistat: From YouTube Star to Media Company Co-Founder.
- by Sara Brigden
Is your accounting year end 31 March 2017?
Don’t miss out on a valuable cash boost from R&D tax credits. If your accounting period ends on 31 March 2017, you’re not alone. In fact you’re in the company of a large number of UK limited companies find it convenient to use 31 March as the end date for their business year so that it is the same as the tax, or fiscal, year.
Spring Budget 2017 and R&D tax credits
Today’s Spring Budget 2017 didn’t bring with it any big surprises for R&D tax credits. It prompted more questions than it gave answers; here we review what the Chancellor said, and what in our view that means for the R&D tax environment.
Igniting innovation: A ForrestBrown study on business attitudes to the government’s Industrial Strategy
At the end of 2016, prime minister Theresa May promised to invest an extra £4.7 billion in research and development (R&D). The government’s intention is to help the UK remain an attractive place for businesses to invest in innovation.
A second former HMRC R&D Unit inspector joins ForrestBrown
We are delighted to announce that another former HMRC R&D Unit tax inspector has joined ForrestBrown. Emma Craig-West is our latest senior tax manager and will further boost the technical firepower of our tax team.