Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

After nearly 30 years specialising in capital allowances and tax relief, Louise Barth, Founder of Barth Consulting, has become a trusted advisor to businesses looking to protect cashflow and keep more money in their organisations – at a time when every pound matters.

Louise began her as a chartered surveyor, working on major construction projects including Vauxhall Motors and specialist London schemes such as the Science Museum. It was during these early years that she first encountered capital allowances; an area few people understood at the time.

“When I saw a job advertised for a capital allowances surveyor, it felt like it had my name on it.” Lousie explains. “ I spent 20 years working across Luton and London doing just that before deciding to focus closer to home and support smaller taxpayers – the businesses that feel the benefit of tax relief most  acutely.”

In 2016, she launched Barth Consulting, combining her surveying background with deep tax knowledge. What truly sets her apart is her ability to bridge two worlds. “I work like a surveyor but think like an accountant,” she says. “That makes me a conduit between construction and finance - identifying, categorising and optimising expenditure so clients can claim every pound of relief they’re entitled to.”

Helping businesses under pressure

Recent budgets have left many businesses struggling with rising costs, reduced margins and tighter cashflow.

“Businesses are being squeezed from every direction.” Louise says. “More than ever, they’re asking how they can keep money in the business, improve cashflow and stay resilient.  My role is to help them legitimately reduce their tax bills, and the demand for that support has never been higher.”

Louise estimates that many capital allowances claims are not optimised and often incorrect, because businesses or their accountants only claim for obvious items such as carpets or equipment. The more technical aspects - builders’ work, plant room systems, design fees and integral fixtures - are frequently overlooked.

“It’s tragic really, because the relief is there. When done properly, it makes a significant difference to a business’s cashflow.”

A growing local presence with nationwide reach

Although based in Luton, Louise works with clients across the UK; from small business owners buying their first premises to multinational organisations. Her clients span sectors including care homes, hospitality, retail, healthcare and banking, and she even works on overseas properties where the tax is paid in the UK.

Bedfordshire, however, remains close to her heart. “It’s lovely working with local companies,” she says. “You can meet face-to-face, walk around their buildings and really understand their business.”

Louise has been a Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce member for nine years, and credits the Chamber with playing a key role in her local growth. “The introductions have been invaluable. Some clients only spoke to me because the Chamber recommended me, and that endorsement means a great deal.” 

Connecting the local business community

Outside of her consultancy work, Louise is an active supporter of local networking and community-building. Most recently, she launched a monthly South Beds Golf Club Golf Society, designed as a relaxed way for local businesspeople to connect.

“It’s very informal - nine holes, no speeches, no big time commitment,” she explains. “Machins Solicitors kindly support it, the local golf club benefits, and people get to build genuine connections. Everyone wins.”

She also attends a wide range of Chamber and community events, emphasising the value of relationships beyond the purely professional.

“When you work on your own, the Chamber becomes your team. Getting to know people, having coffees, and building friendships are just as important as the work itself.” 

Looking ahead and a message to fellow SMEs

With legislation changing regularly, capital allowances is a sector that never stands still. Louise keeps up to date not only with capital allowances rules but also with income tax, corporation tax and property related matters to understand the full picture for clients.

Her message to fellow SMEs is simple “Tax relief doesn’t need to be scary if you speak to the right person. People hear the word ‘tax’ and switch off. But it’s the ‘relief’ part that matters. My mission is to save clients money, and that’s a pretty nice job to have. If I can’t save a client money, I don’t work for them. My work is always about reducing tax bills legitimately, nothing else.”

And her advice for local businesses considering Chamber membership?

“Don’t underestimate the value of the Chamber. Many of us don’t have big teams anymore. The Chamber can be your team, your tribe, your community. Get stuck in and you really do get out what you put in.”

Find out more

If you’d like to learn more about Barth Consulting and how capital allowances could unlock vital cashflow in your business, visit www.barthconsulting.co.uk

To join the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com or call 01582 522448.