A business rates consultancy has unveiled a new name as it embarks on an ambitious plan to double in size.
FCS Management Services, which serves a nationwide client base of commercial landlords, agents, business owners and tenants, has rebranded as Verity Commercial Services.
Founder and chief executive Simon Dresdner said the new title better reflects the company’s values and offering as it seeks to expand its range of commercial property services.
The company, which has its headquarters at the M60 Office Park in Swinton, Salford, provides business rates advice and management to clients across England and Scotland in the industrial, office and retail sectors.
It focuses on issues involving empty properties as well as challenging rateable values, advising on available reliefs, property deletions, splits and mergers, and taking appeals against Valuation Office Agency rulings through the tribunals process.
Mr Dresdner said Verity is now saving clients over £20m a year on their business rates bills.
Verity, which has 20 staff, was founded as FCS in 2015 and has grown annual turnover to more than £2m. It has doubled in size over the past 18 months and aims to do so again amid surging demand for its services.
Mr Dresdner said: “We wanted a new corporate look and to convey the meaning of the business better. Verity means truth and honesty, which is what we offer our employees, clients and stakeholders.
“The new name reflects our dedication to authenticity and integrity, and our commitment to growth, innovation and providing an exceptional service to clients.
“Our growth strategy involves increasing market share for our current services and moving into asset management, property management and vacant property services.
“With a strong team of experts on board and a loyal client base, we’ve experienced exponential growth in recent years, and we look forward to reaching new heights as Verity.”
Managing director Jozef Weill said Verity has become a trusted partner in helping clients to navigate the complex world of business rates.
He said: “With more people working from home, and due to the growth in online retailing, our services are more in demand than ever, as empty properties are a huge burden for landlords.
“Exemption and relief schemes exist, but owners often lack the insight into the complex rules surrounding these.
“By using the right techniques and innovative opportunities to secure reliefs, including a groundbreaking mitigation scheme where we liaise with local authorities on behalf of clients, we are helping them to achieve huge savings and add value to local communities at the same time.
“In recent years, we have added to our empty rates mitigation offering. Our team is able to identify where landlords can reduce their business rates liabilities in other ways, such as by merging or splitting properties or through deletions.
“Our rating experts analyse business rates bills to identify any inaccuracies and opportunities for reductions, by checking and challenging rateable values with the Valuation Office Agency if a discrepancy is found. We also take appeals through the tribunals process.”
He added: “New rateable values for business properties came into effect in April and these are used by councils to calculate business rates bills. This is already leading to an influx of new inquiries and cases, and we fully expect this growth to continue.
“Alongside this, new forms of relief are available, such as around renewable energy, and helping landlords to explore their options in a transparent way is a cornerstone of our approach to doing business.”
