A company in Dorset which provides defence technology solutions has appointed a new auditor and research and development (R&D) tax adviser on the back of continued expansion.
Poole-based Aish Technologies, a £14m turnover firm employing 200 people, selected the South Coast office of Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group.
Aish Technologies, which has roots dating back to before the Second World War, is a highly-regarded supplier of naval and military electronics hardware, cathodic protection systems and rugged enclosures.
Staff work on major projects either directly for the Ministry of Defence or in partnership with major systems integrators such as Babcock, BAE Systems, Force Protection, Lockheed Martin, Thales and Northrop Grumman.
Lloyd Bates, the managing director of Aish Technologies, said: “We’ve been impressed by the regular business breakfast seminars held by Smith & Williamson and, given their demonstrable expertise, feel they can support us at the next level as we expand operations.
“We want proactive advice on our claims for R&D tax credits, the implementation of Financial Reporting Standard 102 and the benefit of Smith & Williamson’s wider experience.”
Chris Appleton, senior partner at the South Coast office of Smith & Williamson in Southampton, said: “Aish Technologies is a superb example of an international business with real strength and potential here on the South Coast. Our strong suit is advising ambitious, mid-corporate businesses and it will be a privilege to advise Aish in the next chapter of its growth.
“One of the areas we will be looking at is to explore the opportunities for Aish to benefit from the substantial government-backed rebates due to businesses undertaking R&D.
“We have successfully assisted clients in reclaiming well over £1m from the R&D tax regime, enabling them to reinvest this cash to further enhance their business activities.”
As part of Aish’s growth, the company has signed a lease on 1,858 sq m (20,000 sq ft) of standalone office space which became available on the market.
The premises is on Broom Road, next to Aish’s 4,645 sq m (50,000 sq ft) head office, called Aish House.
Lloyd, who was promoted from finance and programmes director in May, said: “The newly-leased accommodation gives us much-needed space as we were starting to burst at the seams in our main building, which is a nice problem to have.”
