Specialist R&D tax relief expertise, built over more than 30 years

MSC R&D brings together experienced technical analysts, fully qualified and chartered tax professionals, and former HMRC inspectors to prepare clear, accurate and well-supported R&D tax relief claims.

A long-standing focus on complex R&D

MSC R&D was established in 1990, initially helping technology-led businesses obtain grant funding for research and development. That background created a strong foundation in understanding complex projects, technical evidence and the commercial realities of R&D.

We later applied that experience to R&D tax relief, building a specialist service that brings technical analysis and tax expertise together. Since then, we have supported more than a thousand UK businesses across technology, science and engineering.

Our approach continues to develop as the scheme and HMRC guidance change, but the principle remains the same: claims should be technically clear, financially accurate and supported by the evidence held by the business.

Technical depth

Complex projects are discussed with experienced analysts who understand the underlying science or technology.

Joined-up expertise

Technical analysis, tax treatment and quality assurance are considered together throughout the claim process.

Continual improvement

Our processes continue to develop as the R&D tax relief rules and HMRC guidance change.

Specialists who can speak your team’s language

Our people bring senior industry, tax and HMRC experience to the claim process. This allows the team to understand complex work, ask focused questions and produce a submission that reflects what actually happened during the project.

Technical analysts Practical industry knowledge across software, engineering, manufacturing, life sciences and other specialist fields.
Tax professionals Qualified advisers who understand the current R&D tax relief rules and the financial records behind a claim.
Former HMRC inspectors Experienced quality assurance focused on accuracy, consistency and the strength of the position before submission.

Tom Watson

Compliance Director & R&D Tax Client Manager

Tom is a chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) with over 6 years of experience working in Personal, Corporation, VAT, M&A and R&D Tax.
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Lloyd Coulson

Senior R&D Tax Client Manager

Lloyd is an experienced Tax Advisor (CTA) and has worked on hundreds of R&D claims nationally across a broad range of sectors.
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Adam Smales

Regional Sales Manager

Adam supports leadership teams in understanding and accessing UK innovation incentives, with a particular focus on R&D tax relief.
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Peter Azu

Head of QA

Peter has been working in taxes since January 1989, starting out in HMRC, where he qualified as an HM inspector of Taxes.
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Gavin Bate

Expert Consultant

Gavin is one of the foremost specialists in the R&D tax relief field for over 20 years, and was formerly the HMRC technical leader for the R&D regime.
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Sam Giles

R&D Tax Client Manager

Sam is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant (ACA), having qualified following his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering at Loughborough University.
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Ashley Rai

R&D Tax Client Manager

Ashley is a dual qualified Chartered Account (ICAS) and Chartered Tax Advisor (CIOT), with 6 years of experience working solely within R&D tax.
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Virali Patel

R&D Tax Client Manager

Virali is an ACA qualified Chartered Accountant specialising in Research & Development tax relief. She has experience in working with many business sectors.
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Dr Guillaume Peersman

Technical Analyst

Guillaume has over thirty years of experience in software development covering a wide range of coding languages and architectures.
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Dr Derek Marriot

Technical Analyst

Derek is a computer scientist whose major work has revolved around high performance computing and 3D computer graphics.
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Nick Baker

Technical Analyst

Nick is a graduate engineer whose varied career and experience enables him to add value in a wide range of sectors.
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Rob Watson

Technical Analyst

Rob has over thirty years' IT experience encompassing a wide variety of technology and a broad experience of many industry sectors including...

Discuss your next R&D tax relief claim with a specialist team

Whether you are preparing a first claim, changing adviser or looking for a more rigorous process, we can discuss the projects, accounting period and support your business may need.