Pictured: (l-r) Tony Elliott (Chantrey Vellacott DFK), Chris
Moore (Avidity IP), Dennis Turner, Adrian Gill, Joanne Yapp-Pennino
(all HSBC), Paul Fenner (Chantrey Vellacott DFK) and Surbjit Gogna
(Avidity IP)
Prospects for growth in 2012 and how innovation can be used to
drive success were among topics discussed at a lunch seminar in
Birmingham.
Focused on helping innovative companies grow and increase their
net worth, the event was established by trio, Paul Fenner of
Chantrey Vellacott DFK, Joanne Yapp-Pennino of HSBC Bank plc and
Surbjit Gogna of Avidity IP (formerly HLBBshaw).
Dennis Turner, Chief Economist at HSBC, was the main speaker at
the event held by HSBC at its Birmingham Commercial Centre in
partnership with accountants and business advisors Chantrey
Vellacott DFK and European patent and trade mark attorneys Avidity
IP, which is changing its name from HLBBshaw on October
1.
Dr Chris Moore, senior attorney and director at Avidity IP, was
also on hand to talk about the different types of intellectual
property (IP) and how companies should leverage their IP as a tool
for growth and building value.
"With the increase of competition from home and abroad it is
vitally important that UK businesses harvest all of their
intellectual assets to drive growth", Chris said.
"The UK Patent Box and tax regime will help, as will improved
enforcement regimes."
Tony Elliott, tax director at Chantrey Vellacott DFK, which has
its new Birmingham office on Calthorpe Road, said the event was a
good opportunity for innovative companies to find out about the
benefits of Research and Development (R&D) tax credits and
other tax initiatives.
"The R&D tax credit system is a very generous tax relief
available to a wide range of firms embracing innovation and
developing cutting edge products," Tony said.
"UK companies have claimed as much as £52 billion in
R&D credits since 2000 and as a firm we have helped hundreds of
companies to develop and grow through innovation and successful
claims.
"The event provided a good snapshot of how the R&D tax
credit system can be used effectively and outlined reforms set to
come into force."
Adrian Gill, HSBC's Birmingham Area Commercial Director,
added:
"Events like this are crucial in bringing together the local
business community to share insights and understand how the
Midland's economy fits into and contributes to the wider UK
picture."