Jumpstart targets aerospace and defence sectors with new trade body agreement

Edinburgh-based research and development tax relief specialist Jumpstart has said it is ramping up its interest in the UK aviation, defence, security and space industries having joined sector trade body ADS Group.

Jumpstart said it is seeking to bring tax relief benefits to members of ADS and has announced the addition of partner manager Sandy Findlay to its ADS Scotland Policy and Profile Working Group, which it has established to help promote the active engagement of ADS Scotland members.

ADS, which operates as a not-for-profit organisation, represents high-value, high technology engineering, manufacturing and services firms directly employing 142,000 people which boasted a cumulative turnover of £24 billion in 2015.

Jumpstart’s relationship with ADS is the latest in a series of such tie-ups established over several years following similar arrangements with organisations representing groups such as lawyers, accountants and the business lobby.

Jumpstart said the pairings allow it to focus its specialist tax relief advice on the sector involved and also allow trade organisations to provide added value benefits to their member companies.

Now, its ADS Scotland Policy and Profile Working Group aims to involve members in industry-level consultation and dialogue with key government agencies on policies and issues that could affect them, and to inform ADS on Scottish members’ views on UK-wide issues.

Mr Findlay, who will be heading up the effort within the aerospace and defence sectors, said: “I am delighted to be able to support ADS Scotland in this role and I hope the working group is able to promote the profile of Scottish companies in the aerospace, defence and security sector and have a wider impact on the sector across the UK.”

Graham Beck, technical analyst at Jumpstart, has also joined the ADS Scotland SC21 and Supply Chain Development Working Group, which was established to identify and address supply chain gaps that can be exploited by ADS members in Scotland.

Mr Beck said: “I am very pleased to be involved in this initiative and I hope the group will be able to make a positive contribution to the global competitiveness of the Scottish supply chain in the aerospace, defence and security sector.”

The ADS group president is Paul Kahn, President of Airbus Group UK, and the organisation is managed by chief executive Paul Everitt, who is also chairman of ADS subsidiary Farnborough International Limited, which runs the Farnborough International Airshow.

Mr Everitt said: “ADS is made up of more than 1,000 member companies spanning the length and breadth of the UK. Working together ADS and all its members aim to ensure the UK’s aerospace, defence, space and security industries continue to make a vital contribution to the nation’s security and prosperity.

“I am delighted Jumpstart have joined and am certain they will make a significant contribution to the work of our Scotland Policy and Profile group, to the benefit of all our members in Scotland.”