1st October 2025, London: RCK Partners, a leading tax consultancy specialising in R&D tax credits, has appointed Sophie Spells as its first Group Chief Executive Officer.
Sophie steps into the new role with immediate effect, bringing a deep knowledge of the business and its vision from her two years as RCK’s General Counsel and Head of Legal, Data and Compliance. As Group CEO, she will oversee the firm’s global operations, working closely with James Gibson, who continues as CEO of the UK business.
Her appointment follows RCK’s successful launch in Ireland, a key milestone in the firm’s growth. In her new role, Sophie will focus on driving international expansion, continuing to lead RCK’s governance and strategic management and spearheading the adoption of new technologies and services at Group level.
Sophie Spells, Group CEO at RCK Partners, said:
“I feel privileged to step up to the position of Group CEO and to lead RCK though its next phase of growth. It is a particular source of pride to become the first Group CEO, especially having recently returned from maternity leave with three children under six. In this next stage of the business, my focus will be on driving growth with integrity, a pillar I championed during my time as RCK’s General Counsel and Head of Legal, Data and Compliance.”
“A key part of my role will be to lead our expansion into new markets, including our recent launch in Ireland. I am excited to build on the strong momentum we’ve created together and look forward to getting started.”
Lord Philip Hammond, Chairman of RCK Partners, said:
“RCK’s Board and Senior Leadership team has the highest levels of confidence in both Sophie and James and believes that the new structure will allow both of them to deploy their respective skills and will enable the business to best meet client demands moving forwards. As a board we look forward to witnessing the impact that Sophie will have in her new position. Sophie’s appointment and the creation of the new role of Group CEO highlights the businesses focus on future growth.”
Microsoft has announced a £2.5 billion investment into the UK to boost AI development. The funding will go towards new datacentres, GPUs, and training over 1 million people in AI skills, strengthening the UK’s digital infrastructure and workforce. This move positions the UK as a key player in global AI innovation, provided the right policies and partnerships support it. Lord Iain McNicol welcomed the news, highlighting the importance of large-scale investment for growth and skilled jobs. We encourage technology companies to explore how R&D tax relief can help them benefit from opportunities created by this investment.
Want to submit an R&D tax relief claim but sit within the defence industry? This article outlines the process we follow at RCK for defence clients, taking into account the security protocols and confidentiality requirements in this sector.
Sophie Spells, Head of Legal, Data and Compliance at RCK Partners, reflects on the importance of proper governance and outlines key steps for businesses looking to scale with governance at the forefront.
