Danny Parker Relationship Partner, Cooper Parry

I’m a Relationship Partner, working closely with a number of our clients and helping to leading our fast-growing Audit team. I will also be your host for this event.

I’ve been with CP for 18 years now; from the old-fashioned, traditional business we were then, to the rebellious, disruptive firm we are today.

Chris Knott Partner, Head Of R&D Incentives, Cooper Parry

I use my engineering background, tax qualification, R&D tax relief experience (22 years) and Made in the Midlands patronage to help companies claim their share of these generous reliefs.

I can speak to the client’s finance team about the positive impact any R&D incentives claims will have on the company’s accounts but I’m equally at home on the shop floor, talking to the engineers, technicians and scientists about what they’re actually doing.

Only by being able to do that, can you really understand their projects and then seek to maximise the company’s R&D incentives claims. This is why I love my job, I get to “look under the bonnet”, sometimes literally!

Bijesh Morjaria Tax Director, Cooper Parry

I am a Director in our Business Tax Team and take great pride in helping businesses, be it privately owned, PE backed or part of an international group, in navigating the wonderfully complex world of tax! 

I have had some great experiences in advising a wide range of businesses over the last 20 years and have seen at first-hand how proactive tax advice can add real value to both companies and their shareholders. 

James Piper Founder and Managing Director of Lightbulb Credit Limited, AMCT

With 20+ years finance experience and having worked in a senior role within Barratt’s Plc and most recently two P/E firms, James has a wealth of experience in working in turnaround situations. His focus on working capital, cash flow forecasting and funding has enabled him to understand the key elements of what keeps businesses going. Working day to day with the trade credit agencies and trade credit insurers for many years has given James a unique insight into how to impact these key areas for businesses. James set up Lightbulb Credit over 4 years ago to help companies improve their trade credit ratings. Since its formation Lightbulb Credit has put over £1bn back on to the balance sheets for their clients, and helped companies access funding of over £700m 

Mark Berrisford Smith Head of Economics, HSBC

Having studied Economics at Sussex and London Universities, Mark is now Head of Economics for HSBC’s commercial banking business in the UK.  

He is responsible for advising the Bank in the UK and its business customers on developments in the British and global economies. In the past few years, his work has focused on explaining the mechanics and economic consequences of Brexit and the COVID pandemic. He is also actively involved in explaining to HSBC’s customers the economics of the transition to Net Zero. 

He undertakes an intensive programme of public speaking at conferences and seminars organised or sponsored by HSBC. In order to ensure that HSBC’s commercial customers in the UK are as well informed as possible about the issues arising from Brexit and COVID, he spoke at around 150 such events during 2021, albeit many of them were videoconferences.