RCK strengthens its advisory leadership with the launch of the Innovation Advisory Council

02 February2026, London: RCK Partners, a specialist tax advisory firm focusing on R&D Tax Credits, Business Rates and Capital Allowances, today announces the launch of its Innovation Advisory Council (“IAC”).

The newly appointed IAC brings together a cross-industry network of advisers from multiple industries, including technology, life sciences, manufacturing and defence. Members bring deep industry knowledge and leadership experience and will provide advice, guidance and best practice to support RCK’s clients. This strategic initiative strengthens RCK’s client offering and reinforces its commitment to driving growth, governance and excellence across the UK’s R&D landscape.

In a rapidly changing business environment, where recent reforms have reshaped the R&D tax landscape and innovation continues to accelerate, the IAC enhances RCK’s advisory capabilities to help clients stay ahead of regulatory and market developments. This strengthened offering and deep sector expertise ensures a stronger advisory offering for businesses in those sectors RCK serves, who in turn can maintain a competitive edge in an evolving innovation ecosystem.

Commenting on the announcement of the IAC, Group CEO, Sophie Spells, said:

“This is an exciting milestone for RCK and as champions of growth and innovation, RCK’s role in enabling businesses to realise the full value of R&D tax incentives are critical drivers of innovation and investment. With the IAC’s assistance, it will support RCK’s clients in meeting diverse needs across their respective industries. Importantly, this council will strengthen our commitment to strong governance and advisory excellence by providing deeper insight into the industries we serve, proving invaluable in strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader.”

UK CEO, James Gibson, added:

“RCK was founded with the mission of supporting innovative business in navigating the R&D landscape. We have assembled a group of business leaders who bring a wealth of experience to our clients, in their respective sectors and across their extensive career experience. The R&D industry has experienced turbulence over the last few years and in an ever-changing environment, we need to stay one step ahead, and the IAC helps us achieve exactly that, with the adviser’s respective experience at our disposal.”

Former Partner & Chief Operating Officer at Virgin, Deputy CFO at Barclays Retail Commercial Bank and MCS Advisory Director Carla Stent, said:

“MCS Advisory is delighted to be part of this hugely exciting initiative from RCK Partners, and I am excited to be their representative on the Innovation Advisory Council. Turbulence within the global marketplace means the importance for businesses to maintain their competitive edge through cutting-edge innovation is more important than ever, and I’m thrilled that, through the IAC, we can help RCK’s clients go from strength to strength.”

The IAC will work alongside RCK’s existing Non-Executive Directors including, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Philip Hammond and Former General Secretary of the Labour Party, Lord Iain McNicol and the IAC will be Chaired by Group CEO, Sophie Spells.  

The Innovation Advisory Council includes:

· Carla Stent, (as a Consultant on behalf of MCS Advisory Ltd), Former Partner & Chief Operating Officer at Virgin, Deputy CFO at Barclays Retail and Commercial Bank; NED at Utility Warehouse, Evelyn Partners and HBX Group plc.  

· Darren Purkis, CFO at VodafoneThree, previously held senior finance positions in Marks & Spencer Plc, Kingfisher, Warehouse Fashions and Borders Books.

· MB Christie, NED at Open Banking Ltd, MONY Group plc, and Social Finance Inc, previously led digital product transformations at Financial Times, Rightmove, Tech Nation and Simply Business.

· Rebecca DeNiro, Former Managing Director for GB & Ireland at Dyson, holds a number of NED roles, such as at Riverford Organic Farmers, Regatta Ltd, and is Chair at Ribble Cycles.

· Rakesh Sharma, Former CEO of Ultra Electronics Holdings plc and Chair at Sharma Capital Partners, NED at Kromek Group plc, Horizon Technologies plc, Moneysupermarket.com Group and Inkwell Data.  

· Jitesh Sodha, Former CFO at Spire Healthcare Group plc, experienced FTSE 250 NED at PZ Cussons.

· Stephen Harrison, Former Chief Executive at Forterra PLC, Chairman of Epwin Group plc and Tungsten West plc, and NED of Castings plc.

· Andrew Carwardine, Former Army Officer and Specialist Non-Exec Adviser at UK Ministry of Defence, strategic adviser with extensive Government, International Management and Private Equity experience.

· Phill Davies, Fractional and Founding Leaderand Co-founder and former CEO at Magway, 20+ years of experience building and scalingearly-stage and founder-led businesses. 

· Don Williams, Former Partner – Retail Sector at KPMG and NED at Blue Diamond, over 10 years’ experience at KPMG, driving growth in the retail sector.

· Stephen Loftus, CEO at Watt bike, with a proven track record of scaling consumer product businesses and driving transformative growth.

‍

-ENDS-

For mediaenquiries, contact

SaraNeidle / Charlotte Coulson

RCK@SECNewgate.co.uk  

‍

About RCK Partners

RCK Partners is a firm of chartered tax advisers based in the City of London, specialising in tax incentives including R&D Tax Relief, Capital Allowances and Business Rates Relief. 

Each claim RCK submit to HMRC is reviewed by their in-house compliance and review team. This team is comprised of former HMRC inspectors, a lawyer, and accountants.

By hiring directly from industry, RCK has built a team with extensive HMRC experience alongside consultants with strong academic and vocational backgrounds.

‍