Someone asks you at a party what you do for a living. What do you say?
I usually start by saying I work in finance. But if they ask more specifically, I often explain that I’m involved in a niche area of tax, more specifically R&D tax credits, where we assist companies driving innovation in the UK, as well as, more recently, working within property tax.
It's fulfilling to help businesses grow through innovation, especially as we get involved in topics and sectors that most finance professionals would never see.
One of the most exciting projects we’ve been involved with is with Deep, as an example, which is a company building underwater habitats. They’re doing incredible R&D work at depths of up to 200 meters, and I feel very privileged to be part of their journey.
Can you walk us through a typical day in your role?
Since becoming a father, my daily routine has changed considerably. I used to arrive at the office at 8.30am and work through to 7pm, but now I usually arrive later so I can spend time with my son in the morning – though today he was up at 4:30am, so I got a few more hours with him than expected. I’m sure most parents can empathise!
After arriving in the office, a typical day for me involves catching up with each department to get updates on their workload and capacity, then focusing on high-level strategy for the business. We’re expanding our services and moving into new territories, both in the UK and abroad, so a lot of my time is spent planning for this and meeting with new advisors.
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now, we’re focused on expanding our service offerings, especially as we bring on larger clients who are looking for expansive support across multiple areas of tax. It’s an exciting time as we grow into these new spaces.
We’re also releasing a significant report and an event to present the findings of this report, so watch this space!
What’s the most exciting and most stressful aspect of your role?
Watching people grow and progress within the company is the most exciting part for me. We recently promoted Alex Gook, who initially joined us as a graduate, to a partner — it was a proud moment.
That’s the biggest thing for me, watching people develop and grow within the company that we’ve created. I’d love to see someone from within the business eventually step into my role or open a global branch.
As you take on more talent and expand the business, you naturally bring in more perspectives and opinions. The benefit is that different perspectives add weight to discussions but on the flip side, it can be challenging to ensure everyone’s voices are heard.
However, this wealth of opinion is exactly what you want to ensure you’re moving forward and considering all options.
What key characteristics make a successful tax professional?
Compliance is at the core of everything we do, but genuinely caring about helping clients to achieve their long-term goals is just as important.
Being diligent and competent is non-negotiable in this profession – your advice is only as good as the care and attention you put into it.
What’s the most common misconception about your work?
A lot of people assume that as a CEO my focus is solely on financial growth. While that’s certainly important, I’m involved in every aspect of the business – from processes to client experience improvements.
Growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about ensuring the business is functioning efficiently at all levels.
Who or what inspires you?
I find Dame Deborah James incredibly inspiring for her work raising awareness and funds for bowel cancer, even during her personal battle.
[British businessman and House of Lords member] James Timpson’s work on prison reform is something I admire – giving people second chances and building trust is a powerful way to run a business.
Lastly, my father, Andrew Roscoe, has always been a huge inspiration. I admire his strong work ethic, where, during his career, he moved from nuclear science to leadership consulting, working across the world and leading an international business.
If you weren’t a tax professional, what would you be doing?
I’ve always had a passion for business, largely because of the example my dad set. But if I wasn’t in tax, I would have loved to be a tennis player. I often take my team out for tennis and squash during lunch to get to know them better, whilst enjoying it as a hobby at the same time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d remind myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day – sometimes it’s best to sleep on decisions and take time to consider them.
I’d also emphasise the importance of understanding how different people work, their motivations, and their drivers. Knowing that is key to helping them grow and develop effectively.
Tell us, what makes tax cool?
In R&D tax relief, it’s really exciting to see the direct impact we have on businesses. Supporting innovation through tax relief and watching companies thrive as a result is incredibly rewarding.
