Phil Harris - specialist motorsport accountant

Harris & Co's professional motorsport team advises some of the biggest names in the motorsport world and is headed up by Managing Director Phil Harris.

Phil grew up in Towcester, close to the world famous Silverstone; where he attended the local comprehensive school before attending Lancaster University where he gained an Economics and Accountancy degree.

With a background in accountancy and an interest in motorsport, it is no surprise that Phil developed a real passion for rallying. His father Les, an engineer, used to rally both nationally and internationally back in the 1950s and 1960's until his retirement from rallying in 1974.

Phil coaxed his father out of retirement in 1981 to help him ignite his rally career, and after a few seasons at club level, Phil made his debut in the Lombard RAC rally in 1986.

Using his skills as a businessman, accountancy specialist and rally driver Phil Harris has managed to build a successful accountancy practice, he is back in competition competing in the 2015 Historic Rally Championship. The Harris & Co-branded car made its debut at the Red Kite Rally in Wales earlier this year.

Thanks to Harris & Co's extensive motorsport client base they now have an enviable portfolio of clients and have acted for several well-known national and international racing drivers. More recently they have advised a group of investors looking to buy a Formula 1 team, as well as prospective purchasers of both an historic race team and one of the world's leading restorers of classic cars.

Motorsport Finances and Tax

For the last few years, Phil has also been invited to speak at Silverstone to an audience of drivers and teams about motorsport finances and tax. Phil has also been asked by the MIA to speak at a national series of seminars with HMRC throughout 2015 on R&D tax credits for the industry. Phil's experience of providing expert accountancy advice means that he has first-hand knowledge of the motor industry's accounting requirements, both on day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll and taxation needs and for more specialist needs.

Away from the office Phil enjoys spending time at his home in Northamptonshire. He is also a keen sportsman and as well as rallying also enjoys golf and keeping fit.

Harris & Co's website can be found at www.harrisandco.biz