Meet the team

Lord Philip Hammond served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2016 to 2019, Foreign Secretary from 2014 to 2016, and Defence Secretary from 2011 to 2014, and is now Chair to RCK's Board. Previous to this, Lord Hammond served as a Senior Advisor and a Non-Executive Director to RCK. During his time as Chancellor, Lord Hammond championed innovation and productivity growth within the UK. Lord Hammond joined RCK to support its efforts to drive up compliance standards within the R&D tax credits advisory sector, thus protecting the R&D tax credit scheme which is such a vital part of the UK’s effort to raise innovation and productivity.

Lord Iain McNicol, Baron McNicol of West Kilbride is a British politician and former General Secretary of the Labour Party from 2011 to 2018. Lord McNicol will bring a wealth of experience from a thirty-year career working across politics, business and trade unions.

Andrew began his career in a nuclear research laboratory as part of the UK’s development of nuclear power plants. Following an MBA at London Business School, he went on to build his career incorporate finance with Cazenove & Co. working on M&A transactions as well as IPOs. 26 years ago he joined Egon Zehnder, the international talent management firm. Since then he has held various roles including leading the UK business, helping to develop the firm’s business in Greater China and more recently sitting on the Swiss parent company board where he chaired the board finance committee. For several years he led the firm’s global assessment and development practice and co-authored a number of articles in Harvard Business Review on assessing potential for development in senior executives. He is currently splitting his time between London and Dublin where he has been responsible for establishing Egon Zehnder’s 36th country practice in the Irish capital. Outside work Andrew is a proud father and now grandfather and tries to keep active through running and swimming.

Sophie’s legal career has spanned over 13 years. Prior to joining RCK, she has spent the last seven years leading an in-house legal, data and compliance team at a leading law firm. Her experience incorporates all things legal (contracts/ litigation/ corporate), data protection, procurement, costs challenges, funding, compliance and dispute resolution. Prior to this, she worked in private practice in asset finance at Norton Rose, specialising in Shipping and Aviation Finance. In her roles as both General Counsel and Head of Legal, Data and Compliance, Sophie safeguards the business by ensuring the adoption of best-practice principles in all areas of corporate governance and departmental procedure. With her wealth of legal, data and compliance knowledge, she is consistently tightening RCK’s security which is consistent with RCK’s adopted mission to be the safest and most security-conscious provider of services in our industry.

Eli is an experienced Chartered Tax Adviser (both ATT & CTA qualified), as well as a CEDR Accredited Mediator, with ten years of expertise in various areas of tax. His career includes working in Private Client Tax at Smith & Williamson (now Evelyn Partners) and Tax Dispute Resolution at BDO. Eli excels as a resilient problem-solver with a keen interest in helping clients navigate and resolve complex tax disputes. As Head of Risk & Compliance, Eli leads the Compliance Team, ensuring all claims made by RCK meet the firm’s rigorous standards including compliance with both the legislation and HMRC’s guidance, without compromising on the value of relief to which clients are entitled. The Compliance Team also manages all correspondence with HMRC and any arising Enquiries. The team has a strong track record of resolving HMRC enquiries in a mutually beneficial manner for their clients and HMRC. Outside of tax, Eli's passionate about helping others navigate the convoluted care system in the UK. This stems from his lived experience as a primary carer for his brother-in-law who has Down’s Syndrome.

Tony is a FCA bringing a wealth of experience of both sides of the consultant - client axis to RCK. After a decade of experience as a Chartered Accountant in audit and taxation in London, he moved to the corporate side and worked in a range of senior finance positions through to Division Finance Director for MyTravel Group plc and subsequently Thomas Cook. In this role he was also responsible for Procurement, Legal, HR, & IT and with responsibility for the worldwide reporting of the Hotel Division he has great experience of alternative approaches in different jurisdictions to similar objectives which he now applies to the benefit of our clients. As a specialist in tax, he was Thomas Cook Group PLC’s tax representative in Spain and main board Director of the Spanish entities.

Alex Marshall joined RCK directly from HMRC’s R&D department, bringing more than 3 years of experience as an R&D Compliance officer. In his role as a Senior Compliance & HMRC Liaison at RCK, Alex plays a crucial role in the Compliance team by responding to HMRC enquiries and advising on our approach to claims.

Wane has been practising in R&D tax incentives for several years, including Ayming, PwC and EY, and recently returned from a year working overseas in the Swedish R&D regime. With a geochemistry postgraduate background and specialised in construction, engineering and life sciences R&D claims, Wane’s previous roles have all been fully 360 covering business development, claim preparation, reviews/sign-off and enquiries.

Gosia obtained BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and MSc in International Business and Management. She has previously spent more than 3 years working in R&D Tax both in the UK and in Canada, where she was heavily involved in claim preparation and defence.

Param joined RCK directly from HMRC, where he most recently worked within their R&D department. Having spent just over 3 years at HMRC, Param initially trained as a Higher Executive Officer in Corporation Tax compliance before moving on to work in Complex Evasion, where he led investigations into large companies, as part of the Wealthy and Mid-Sized Business Compliance Directorate. Prior to working at HMRC, Param read Economics at the University of Birmingham.

Pia is an audit and accounting professional with extensive experience in statutory audit procedures, accounting principles and financial reporting. She has audited clients listed on various stock exchange (NSE/BSE/SEC) in sectors such as manufacturing, IT services and healthcare services, and has been responsible for auditing a whole unit of an NSE listed company, performing SOX audit for an SEC listed client. Pia has assisted clients in preparation of standalone and consolidated financial statements in line with respective accounting framework, with subsidiaries in various countries.

Taher graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Economics and French, during which time he studied at the Toulouse School of Economics. With recent experience in the not-for-profit sector, Taher worked as an Assistant Research Analyst in Paris before developing his audit skills back in the UK.

Dmitri brings 14 years of experience in the Business Rates sector. Throughout his career, he has built and led high-performing teams, driven substantial revenue growth, and enabled new income streams all with a strong focus on delivering value to clients. Specialising in B2B, Dmitri is known for driving innovation that enhances service delivery and client outcomes. He firmly believes that long-term success derives from trust and retention, making client satisfaction the foundation of his leadership approach.

Anastasiya is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with 15 years of experience in the Capital Allowances sector. Prior to specialising in Capital Allowances, Anastasiya has worked as a Quantity Surveyor for 3 years for a large QS firm where she has gained experience in both new build and fit out projects. Anastasiya has provided Capital Allowances advice and undertaken claims on hundreds of properties and commercial transactions and has advised a wide variety of property investors across different sectors including high net worth individuals, hoteliers, retailers, media and investment companies and owner occupiers. Anastasiya holds a Masters Degree in Corporate Real Estate Finance and Strategy.

Tom has worked in R&D tax since 2019, gaining exposure to working on a wide range of clients including multinationals and listed companies. Prior to joining RCK, Tom worked in Corporation Tax, before joining the UK’s largest innovation funding provider. He has successfully advised clients within various industries on their R&D claims, ensuring compliance with the required government guidelines whilst managing an efficient and accurate delivery process.

Younes is Head of Life-Sciences and an R&D Tax Manager at RCK, with a D.Phil in Organic Chemistry from the University of Oxford and a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Queen Mary University. With over six years of experience as an R&D tax specialist, Younes also brings a strong background in industrial drug development. His expertise spans complex drug design, custom synthesis, and process development for regulatory-controlled substances used in Phase I and II clinical trials. He has extensive experience in GMP and GLP environments, including large-scale reactor development, early-stage steroid pharmaceutical formulation, and the synthesis of carbohydrates for targeted disease control. Younes has been closely involved in multiple stages of the drug development lifecycle, from strategy and implementation to hands-on execution of long-term R&D programmes.

Albert holds a BEng in Aerospace Engineering (Design) and a MSc in Advanced Motorsport Engineering from Cranfield University. He has industrial experience within the aerospace and automotive sector. Since joining RCK in September 2022 as an Associate R&D consultant, and now an Assistant R&D Manager, he has compiled claims for a range of sectors including defence, agriculture, engineering, oil and gas, and construction. He has an interest in the Engineering sector (defence, aerospace, automotive, marine, motorsport and precision engineering) within the scope of technology and manufacturing developments.

With a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and experience delivering claims within the life sciences industry, Haris’s previous experience includes working at an international Polymer Chemistry manufacturing company. In a move to R&D Tax Credits, Haris has delivered over £250k in client benefit to his clients across several industries, with a keen eye for claims in the sciences, construction and software sectors.

Nuno has an Engineering background, specialising in Electrical Engineering. With a Master’s from the University of Bristol, and with previous experience working in Automation Engineering. Since his move to R&D Tax Relief, he has worked with a vast range of clients across sectors and industries and has delivered close to a million in client benefit. He prides himself on his attention to detail and excellent client relationship management.

James is vastly experienced in the world of science, coming from an academic background in chemistry, as well as having experience working in R&D, in the chemical industry. Since his move to R&D Tax Relief, he has shown a high level of versatility, having worked with a wide range of our clients whilst also demonstrating a high attention to detail and excellent client management.

In three years at RCK, Gajan has worked on compiling technical claims, during his time as a Technical R&D Consultant, within sectors focusing on software and technology, precision engineering, manufacturing, construction and civil engineering. This is in line with his interests and work experience in the fields of product design, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. Now a Senior Consultant, Gajan has built a network of professionals in the tech start-up industry with prior experience working at a design start-up in the cutting-edge Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, where he contributed to the design and development cycle of new products. He has a keen interest in helping the growth of start-ups and SMEs and has a heavy implementation in driving the RCK Software Function. Since joining the team, he has delivered over 100 technical claims in the Large Company RDEC scheme and SME scheme.

Sai Rahman is an External Software Advisor at RCK Partners, bringing over 7 years of experience in R&D tax with a primary focus on software and IT companies, including FTSE 100 clients. He holds a master’s degree in computer science, specialising in network engineering and machine learning, and has a background in software engineering with hands-on experience developing networking applications and SaaS for professional services industry. At RCK, Sai provides technical leadership on complex software claims, drawing on deep expertise across enterprise-level software engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, big data infrastructure, and telecommunications.

Adil holds an MEng in Engineering from the University of Sheffield which has help equipped him with critical skill for R&D, including a structured approach to problem-solving, analytical thinking, and the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into practical applications. His extensive experience within the energy sector , has involved collaborating with the government to uphold and modernise the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) methodology, integral to generating Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Furthermore, during his time as an Energy Consultant at BRE, Adil was actively involved in extensive research, analysis, and software development to provide technical support regarding building energy performance. This included analysing and interpreting evidence from field trials and lab experiments to improve methods of estimating energy performance, which directly honed his R&D capabilities. In his current role as an R&D Consultant at RCK Partners, Adil manages a diverse portfolio across a wide range of industries including engineering, construction, manufacturing, architecture, bioscience, and software. Adil's work involves financial analysis to accurately calculate R&D benefits, engaging in technical discussions to deeply understand complex project concepts, and applying comprehensive knowledge of HMRC guidelines to ensure compliant and successful claims.

Lexi is an experienced R&D consultant with a Master’s in Ecology from Imperial College London and has an extensive understanding of animal and biological sciences fields. She brings expertise in data analysis and research methodologies, demonstrated through her contributions to meta-analyses and epidemiological studies. Lexi worked as a Research Assistant at Imperial Collage and worked on a paper (on a meta-analysis study on the effect of biodiversity changes with human activities on ecosystem function) and has also worked as a Research Assistant at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as formerly working at a diagnostic company, within the histopathology and immunology department. Since joining RCK, Lexi has worked across a range of sectors, including science and produces detailed, compliant technical and financial documentation. With a proven track record of delivering results, Lexi continues to support clients in identifying and articulating innovation across complex projects.

Prior to joining RCK, Cassius achieved his Bachelor’s and subsequently his Master's in Architecture and went on to gain significant experience working for some of the UK’s leading architects. Cassius has worked in R&D tax since 2023, bringing expertise and understanding from within the construction and architecture sectors to assist in preparing claims, and to help communicate and speak the same technical language as clients within these sectors. He has successfully advised clients within various industries on their R&D claims, ensuring compliance with the required government guidelines, whilst managing an efficient and accurate delivery process.

Having graduated from King’s College London with a First-class degree in Pharmacology, Rukayya received an award for the best dissertation of the year. Before joining RCK as an Associate Consultant in 2023, Rukayya worked in the UK’s only world anti-doping accredited laboratory for a year.

Having graduated with a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and a Master’s in drug design from University College London, Ana decided to pivot away from scientific research and apply her skillset to a consulting role in R&D tax credits. Having previously worked in the Home Office Science department, the skills and experience she acquired meant the transition to R&D Tax Relief, where we work closely with HMRC to submit claims, was very seamless. Ana’s academic background, along with prior experience, heavily compliments her current role, understanding the technical aspects of the R&D work of her clients, drafting concise technical reports and completing financial assessments for both SME and RDEC clients. Combined with her ability to build strong client relationships, she is passionate about working on the expansive software, engineering, and life sciences portfolio at RCK.

Jack Herrington is an Associate R&D tax consultant at RCK Partners. Having achieved a Master's degree in chemistry and a PhD in Bioengineering from Imperial College London, his research background saw him work in both semiconducting polymers and biosensor technology. In particular, he has worked to spin out his research into a medical device start-up, allowing him to greater understand the hurdles involved with the commercialisation of research. His PhD thesis, on the development of chemically amplified low-cost paper-based gas sensors, looked to improve on green sensor technology in the detection of ammonia.

Will Dyson holds a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Southampton, where he was focused on DNA nanotechnology. He has a deep understanding of various fields of biology and substantial experience in analysis of large datasets. In addition, Will has experience in the implementation of large operational systems, where he worked in conjunction with users and software engineers to deliver optimal solutions. Upon joining RCK, Will has looked to expand his scientific and technological understanding in fields of engineering, animal science and software to be able to provide exceptional client services and facilitate innovation.

Wayne is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Prior to joining RCK, Wayne fulfilled the role of Group Commercial Finance Manager in a premium listed business in the professional services sector. Overall, Wayne has 14 years’ experience of working within manufacturing engineering, insurance, professional and financial services in a range of senior commercial and technical finance positions spanning the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia.

With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources predominately in the Big Four, Eva is passionate about driving organisational success by aligning strategic people priorities to ambitious business growth plans. Eva is an organisational psychologist challenging the status quo by combining a forward-thinking approach, her interest in the latest research and leveraging data-driven decision making. In her volunteering work, Eva hopes to equip the next generation with transferable skills for their future of work.

With over 15 years of global experience in the R&D Tax Credit industry, Tom brings strong commercial expertise and strategic leadership to his role as Chief Commercial Officer. He began his career with the UK’s largest innovation funding provider at its inception in 2009, later launching and leading its U.S. operations in 2018. Throughout his career, Tom has played a key role in helping innovative businesses unlock the full value of government incentives, driving growth and enabling significant investment in research and development. At RCK, Tom leads the commercial strategy and client engagement initiatives, ensuring the firm continues to deliver exceptional value and insight to its clients and partners. His deep industry knowledge, combined with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing teams, positions him as a trusted leader in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape.

Freddie has been working in financial services since 2016, having previously worked at the UK’s largest provider of innovation funding. During this time, he has helped countless companies across a multitude of sectors – from Engineering and Construction to Agriculture and Software. Freddie’s success, in part, has come from his ability to nurture and grow relationships with the firm’s accountancy partners: an exercise he has pioneered within the industry. Freddie’s belief that by working alongside accountants to add value to their client base, rather than competing against them, has meant that he has created successful partnerships with over 100 accountancies across the UK – helping their clients obtain the various forms of government funding available to them. Indeed, this has been instrumental not just to the company, but to the industry as a whole, with many of the other providers implementing Freddie’s model.

Initially legally trained, Zeb pivoted into tax incentives 10 years ago and has not looked back. Zeb’s interpersonal skills make him an industry leader in relationship management and through his extensive network he has helped secure tax benefits for some of the most innovative and capital-intensive companies in the country. Throughout his time in tax incentives, Zeb has constantly sought to secure funding and reliefs for the most deserving and compliant businesses in his sectors. Zeb’s success in brokering and developing relationships through diverse partnership agreements has helped broaden his network and give him access to markets with a high barrier to entry. Zeb specialises in R&D claims for tech and defence companies and has additionally worked in assisting companies to claim Property Tax for the last 3 years.

Alex joined RCK as our first ever graduate hire back in 2021, from the University of Leeds, with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Politics. His academic background, along with his experience working in other financial sectors, made for a natural transition into the world of R&D tax credits. From joining as a graduate, fast forward 2.5 years later and Alex quickly proved himself and was promoted to a Partner. Alex now runs a team of Senior members of our Client Relations division, working directly with both SME and RCEC clients, mainly involved in claims within the construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors. His client-centred approach to the role has allowed him to form strong networks with both clients and professional service providers over the years.