R&D tax relief for software

Tom is a software expert at the cutting-edge of technical innovation and HMRC policy. One of our sector specialists at ForrestBrown, his knowledge and experience is invaluable in optimising software claims.

He sat on the HMRC subcommittee that issues software guidance for R&D tax relief. As such, the team utilises his extensive expertise to ensure we deliver robust and accurate advice to our clients.

With a Master’s degree in Medical Image Computing from University College London, Tom has a deep understanding of image processing techniques. He can apply mathematical and statistical formulae to large datasets and machine learning. 

Tom also has experience and knowledge of common software design patterns. Specifically, MATLAB, C#, C++, Python, R!, JavaScript, HTML, SQL, SSRS.

On top of extensive experience in the R&D tax relief industry, Tom has held a range of technical positions spanning various industries. In e-learning he engineered tools to aid international broadcast of lectures. In medical technology he helped develop an online CBT tool to help manage unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Tom also uses his industry insight to improve the future of R&D tax reliefs for the software industry. Not only does he work with our clients to represent their views in response to R&D consultations, he also communicates key information to our clients on technical webinars and in key content such as his work in IT Pro Portal, Tech Monitor, SME Web and Business Leader publications.

Working with the FB Consulting team, Tom brings this experience to tax disputes involving complex software development. He is able to express highly technical R&D claims in a clear and compelling way and is passionate about helping science and technology firms optimise their funding to drive innovation.

Tree has been at the forefront of tech for more than two decades. His expertise spans computer game design, digital music, databases, cloud services, artificial intelligence, psychological assessments and IoT technology. He also has a degree in Physics from the University of Cambridge.

Tree’s career started with a game programmer role, developing high-profile games for the original Sony Playstation. Since then, he has worked with cutting-edge tech startups.

Familiar with a wide range of programming languages including JavaScript, PHP, assembly language, Python, Java and C#, Tree has also led software development as manager, VP and CTO at a number of tech companies. 

Two notable projects Tree has worked on include writing the first open source cross-platfrom library for beacons for iOS and Android, and writing GPU-based server software to convert video and images in real time for hexagonal pixel displays. 

Tree brings his background as a CTO to support our associations in the software and hardware space. Speaking on webinars, writing content (such as his published article in IT Pro Portal) and speaking to association members, Tree helps businesses to identify how they can make efficiencies when placing technology claims.

Possessing a combination of technical flair and business acumen, Tree has a passion for helping tech firms innovate and grow. He has witnessed firsthand the impact that R&D tax reliefs can have on growing an innovative team. After joining ForrestBrown in 2019, he has been able to channel his knowledge and creativity to help our digital technology clients maximise their funding from R&D tax relief and worked on a number of responses to government consultations regarding the future of the tax relief.

Ben is a digital expert at the forefront of tech trends. A digital sector specialist at ForrestBrown, his extensive knowledge is invaluable to our clients who are pushing the boundaries of innovation.

He began his career as a law and philosophy graduate in publishing, but quickly developed a keen interest in web design and build. At the time he worked for family law publishing house Jordan Publishing, but he moved from there into the world of digital agencies. 

Ben has amassed more than 15 years of digital agency experience since then, some at general agencies; others specialising in sectors such as travel and product development. These include 3Sixty, Bray Leino, Zone and Potato.

With experience as a front and back-end developer, senior developer and technology director, Ben has mastered a host of technologies. He is Sitecore certified and has worked extensively with Episerver, Umbraco, HTML, CSS, Javascript, responsive design and Microsoft.Net. 

Ben has also developed expertise in AWS, Azure and Google Cloud as cloud technology has emerged. In his senior roles he has led teams of developers and been involved in wider business management.

His extensive experience at agencies has led him to work across many sectors, including legal, transport infrastructure and entertainment. Past projects include internal tools such as events planning platforms and interactive gaming that utilises augmented reality.

Ben’s expertise is tremendously valuable to our clients at the cutting edge of digital innovation. He works directly with them and our R&D tax practice to uncover all qualifying innovations for robust R&D tax credit claims.

James leads our tax advisory practice, FB Consulting, providing award-winning R&D tax relief expertise to businesses and accountants. This can include modelling and forecasting, risk profiling and benchmarking, and advice on compliance and methodology for large corporates.

With a legal background and extensive experience dealing with HMRC, James brings incisive insights to tax disputes, developing strategies to achieve the best possible outcome for clients. For example, he successfully led ForrestBrown’s support for Quinn (London) Limited in a 2021 landmark tribunal case challenging the interpretation of subsidised R&D expenditure.

James and the FB Consulting team provide specialist advice, working alongside a company’s general advisers, including due diligence relating to R&D tax relief pre and post transactions and R&D in complex, international groups.

A solicitor who specialises in tax advice for corporates and individuals, with a focus on cross-border and international issues, James trained and qualified at a top London law firm before relocating to Geneva to help set up the firm’s Swiss office. On returning to the UK James worked in the tax team of a leading Bristol and London-based law firm, before joining ForrestBrown in 2019.

James has contributed commentary on R&D tax relief and tax disputes to publications including Bloomberg Law and International Tax Review.

Jayne is an experienced chartered accountant with Big Four experience, who has worked in both the UK and Middle East. She is a senior adviser in FB Consulting, ForrestBrown’s specialist tax advisory service. 

Jayne joined ForrestBrown in 2020 and brings a wealth of experience in leading complex tax advisory projects, which helps her provide invaluable advice to our clients. She also plays a key role in assessing and managing tax risks and leading client relationships with HMRC.

Drawing on her science background, she takes particular interest in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. In her role with ForrestBrown, Jayne is focused on developing our advisory services to help more businesses across the UK benefit from R&D tax relief. This includes working with clients and accountants to create robust claims and providing strategic advice or specialist support should HMRC open an enquiry.

After completing a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield, Jayne began her career with Deloitte in 2006. She was based in the entrepreneurial business tax practice and studied for her ACA qualification.

In 2010, she moved to Dubai to help establish Deloitte’s international tax practice for the Middle East region. She managed a diverse portfolio of clients including large multinationals, owner-managed companies and startups.