We are excited to announce that Plus Accounting will once again be sponsoring GaMaYo on the 13th November 2025, and alongside making sure everyone gets their first drink for FREE, Mark Horsfield, will lead the “Ask Me Anything” roundtable for developers and studios providing advice on everything from investment readiness to tax reliefs, company structures and contracting.
Why This Roundtable Matters
Running a game studio is not just about creativity – the financial and administrative side can make or break you. Many indie and small studios struggle with:
- Choosing the right company structure
- Managing cash flow and forecasting
- Hiring employees or engaging freelancers
- Navigating tax reliefs and credits
- Working with overseas team members
- Securing investment or funding
- Understanding compliance and reporting obligations
This roundtable is your chance to skip the “trial and error” and get direct, tailored answers from an accountant who specialises in the game industry.
Roundtables will take place between 5-6pm at GaMaYo with experts ranging from publishers and business consultants to platform-holders and investors.
Mark said “I’m thrilled to be hosting the Ask Me Anything roundtable at GaMaYo this November. Plus Accounting has long championed studios of all sizes, and this session is a chance to ask an expert quite literally anything! Whether you’re hiring your first employee, managing freelancers around the world, evaluating VGTR or VGEC claims, or planning for investment, I’m here to help you get clarity and confidence in how you run your business.”
At this roundtable, Mark will be ready to tackle whatever finance, tax or business questions you throw his way. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, bringing on staff or freelancers, dealing with overseas collaborators, or thinking about investment.
Mark Horsfield – Photograph taken by Simon Dack / Vervate
Meet Mark Horsfield
Mark brings a track record of working with creative and tech businesses, helping them scale sustainably. With a deep understanding of video games tax credits, cross-border operations, and digital-first financial systems, Mark is well placed to lead this session.
He takes over from Sam Baldwin, who has hosted the roundtable in previous years. While Sam’s expertise laid the groundwork, Mark is keen to expand the conversation into growth, global teams, and investor readiness.
We look forward to bringing industry, creativity and finance into one room and helping you level up your studio’s financial game.
Stay tuned for more details and see you at GaMaYo!
Key Topics We’ll Be Ready to Discuss
Here’s a sneak peek at the areas Mark will be primed to help you with:
| Topic | Why It Matters | What You Might Ask |
| Business Structure & Tax Strategy | Your structure influences how much tax you pay, your liability, and your ability to raise funds | “Should I be a sole trader or a limited company? |
| VGTR & VGEC | These reliefs can unlock substantial grants or rebates | “Is my project eligible? How much can I claim?” |
| Cash Flow Forecasting & Reporting | Without sufficient cash, even great games can stall | “How do I plan for lean months and ensure I don’t run dry?” |
| Hiring vs Freelancers vs Overseas Workers | Each option has different tax, legal, and payroll implications | “How do I pay a contractor in another country?” |
| Investment Readiness & Funding | Knowing what investors expect financially can convert a ‘maybe’ into funding | “What financial metrics matter to investors?” |
| Financial Systems, Tools & Automation | Efficiency is key when your time is limited | “What tools should I use (Xero, etc.)? How do I structure my finance processes?” |
| Compliance, Reporting & Risk | Mistakes can mean penalties – better to be proactive than reactive | “What do I need to report? What’s changing in UK finance laws. |
“At Plus Accounting, our mission is simple – to help studios feel confident about their finances so they can focus on making great games,” says Mark Horsfield.
If you are a game developer or support the games industry, you can apply to join Game Republic and/or GaMaYo through the Great Northern Games Discord
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