Elevating ourselves above the rest
As a leading R&D Tax Credits specialist since 2008, randd delivers the highest quality service while ensuring our clients are valued and receive the personal touch. Not only are we experts in submitting clients’ annual claims, but we also have a specialist compliance team that steps in to help companies which have encountered difficulties with another provider.
Every one of our experienced consultants is highly qualified and possesses deep expertise within the sector they specialise in, enabling us to produce technical reports containing all the requisite detail. This is a key part of the robust, bespoke end-to-end service which sets us apart from our competitors.
Over 5,000 successful claims delivered
Led by qualified consultants, not call centres or sales agents
We speak your language, not just HMRC’s
Trusted by accountancy firms to handle their clients’ claims
We succeed where others fail
Much of our business comes from handling claims rejected by HMRC that were submitted by other companies, accountants or by the client themselves. These problems occur when those submitting claims are not sufficiently educated in the market and the result is below par - especially regarding the prescriptive HMRC compliance requirements - and consequently they lack the knowhow to mount a successful defence.
Due to our thorough approach and technical expertise, fewer than 5% of the claims we submit are flagged for HMRC enquiries compared to the industry average of 20%. Our focus is to minimise risk and protect your reputation with every submission.
How randd helps clients and accountants
Through our unique approach, tailored specifically to each client, our team of tax credit specialists have compiled an impressive collection of success stories over our history. We work tirelessly to ensure every claim is refined and tailored to achieve maximum results, and that level of care and commitment can be seen across the following selection of case studies. Our team possess the perfect combination of skill, experience and industry knowledge to help achieve the highest possible rebate.
Every client has their own unique story. We have helped a vast range of different companies across a variety of industries that qualify under the R&D Tax Credits scheme, for example:
Interface NRM
Sector – Energy
A Shropshire-based certification body, Interface NRM has made three successful R&D Tax Credit claims with the help of randd.
Established in 2002 by founders with extensive experience in the timber trade, the company certifies the sustainability of businesses in the forestry, wood-processing, paper and construction industries.
It is a pleasure to work with randd, who have not only helped us with successful R&D claims but also helped us to articulate and refine our R&D processes – not only making them clearer for tax claim purposes but also easier for us to manage internally.
It has been a great experience partnering with randd.”
Dr Gavin Jordan, Co-Founder, Interface NRM
Are you working with an R&D tax accountant?
If an accountancy practice manages your R&D tax claims, there are tangible benefits for them to work alongside randd because of the support we are able to provide.
Mark J Rees LLP
Leicester-based Mark J Rees LLP has formed a highly successful partnership with us which has greatly benefited the firm’s clients.
Verallo
Verallo, based in Henley-on-Thames, works with randd to develop solid, successful R&D tax claims with confidence, putting trust and regulatory compliance at the centre of the relationship.
We’ve been working with randd for over 10 years and they have helped us with many of the claims we’ve done for our clients. We’ve found lots of clients would be better serviced if we partnered with a firm that dedicates 100% of its time to R&D tax.
The team at randd speak the language of our clients. If we didn’t have randd supporting us, it would be more of a challenge for us. randd make sure we stay compliant and that we appropriately navigate enquiries.”
Andy Turner, Partner at Mark J Rees LLP
It was important for us to work with a well-established R&D tax provider. randd has a sensible but not overly conservative approach to R&D tax claims, which works for us.
The team at randd are always willing to pick up the phone and answer our questions, and the knowledge they provide to us as a team is great. It’s a collaborative relationship which works really well.
Having randd as a trusted partner allows us to keep R&D tax as an option and differentiate our practice. We’d definitely be happy to recommend randd to other firms in a similar position – you need to have providers you can rely on, and we can rely on randd.”
Ollie Turner, Tax Partner, Verallo
What are R&D Tax Credits?
Introduced by the Government in 2000, R&D Tax Credits are a niche part of the UK tax code designed to encourage companies to carry out research and development work.
A claim must satisfy all HMRC criteria when submitted - and if successful, it can result in thousands of pounds in tax relief which would prove extremely beneficial to your business.
How is R&D defined?
Research and development is an activity undertaken by a company in attempting to develop a new product, process or service, or to improve those which already exist.
This work may carry a degree of risk due to uncertainty over whether the attempt is technologically feasible or achievable in a practical sense. To qualify for R&D tax relief, the process does not even need to be successful.
For many companies, R&D is essential to remain competitive and profitable in their industry by way of launching new offerings or refining existing ones. The cost of R&D can be expensive, but the opportunity to claim tax relief was introduced to generate innovation investment and, ultimately, stimulate national economic growth.
Successful claims are paid either as relief against Corporation Tax or as a cash credit
Claims can be backdated by up to two financial years
Who are randd ?
Established in 2008 and based in Derby, we are one of the UK’s leading R&D Tax Credits specialists – and our aim for every client is to simplify what can be a complex process.
Not only have we helped thousands of companies to claim back millions of pounds in tax relief, achieving and sustaining an exceptional success rate, but we offer a robust, bespoke, end-to-end service which outperforms the vast majority of our industry competitors.
This reflects the work of our outstanding multi-disciplinary team of tax advisers, accountants and technical professionals, who bring an unrivalled breadth and depth of senior-level experience across the whole range of industry sectors.
We provide expert-led, audit-proof support from our first conversation with you right through to HMRC’s response, unlocking full confidence in your claim.
With randd, it’s R&D without the red flags.
Quite simply, we invest all the time required to conduct a thorough investigation to recognise every element of technical development undertaken by our clients’ companies – which minimises the effort you will need to make at every stage of the process.
This approach is rooted in our comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the R&D Tax Credits scheme, of how HMRC interprets what is eligible to be claimed and the precise way HMRC expects each submission to be presented.
We also offer the opportunity with our free-to-use R&D tax credit calculator to work out an indicative value of your claim ahead of the submission.
As underlined by our motto, randd’s mission is for your innovation to be rewarded.
5,000+ – Our total number of successful claims Less than 5% HMRC enquiry rate compared to 20% industry average
Over 17 years’ experience delivering compliant claims
R&D experience across all sectors
Whatever the industry your company operates in, you can be confident our team of R&D tax experts have vast experience of submitting claims in that sector.
Rather than any sector-related restrictions, the only pre-requisite regarding eligibility for a claim is that your company must have carried out research and development activities with the aim of making a technological or scientific advancement.
Industries such as Manufacturing, Engineering and Pharmaceuticals obviously sit naturally within the realm of R&D, but many potential clients in alternative sectors are surprised when they learn what else can qualify.
Our considerable experience ensures we are ideally placed to conduct a thorough investigation to recognise all technical development. Below is a selection of the industries in which our team possess sector expertise:
Unlock confidence in your claim with an R&D healthcheck
If you are already claiming R&D tax relief either through your own submissions or via an accountancy practice, you might not be checking every available box.
That’s because a claim which is firstly fully compliant with all of HMRC’s criteria, and secondly includes every possible qualifying activity and cost, requires the time and/or resources that can usually only be expended by a specialist team such as randd.
If you are unsure about any of those aspects of your submission, we can provide you with a no-obligation R&D healthcheck which can be applied to your past, current and future claims.
With HMRC having tightened the tax guidelines and definitions, which continually evolve, our R&D healthcheck can achieve the following:
• Mitigate potential HMRC claw-backs on past claims
• Highlight your HMRC R&D tax risk profile when qualifying past and current claims
• Identify gaps and illustrate opportunities for additional R&D funds
Countless hours of research are required to ensure no stone is left unturned in investigating and compiling the technical narrative of a claim, ensuring it is submitted with complete accuracy - and building a case that guarantees your company receives the optimum refund it is eligible for.
The benefits truly can make the difference in transforming a business by helping to increase productivity, stimulating further innovation and growth and having a positive holistic impact.
Contact us today to book a no-obligation R&D healthcheck with one of our industry specialists.
How much R&D tax relief can be claimed?
The tax rate for which your company qualifies will depend on several factors. These include the size of the company, the dates of the accounting period for which the claim is being made and whether the business is profitable or loss-making.
In 2024, changes to the R&D tax credit schemes previously announced by the Government came into effect. These changes were designed to simplify and improve the system.
It meant that for claims relating to accounting periods starting on or after April 1 2024, the previous SME and RDEC schemes would no longer apply. In their place, a merged scheme was introduced, but with exceptions which are explained on these pages.
However, because R&D tax credit claims can be backdated up to two years, the SME and RDEC schemes will not become obsolete until April 2026.
Here’s our guide to which rate will be applicable to your claim, factoring in the various criteria:
RDEC scheme
This applies to large companies, defined as those which have more than 500 employees and either a turnover of more than €100million (£85million) or a balance sheet total over €86million (£73million).
Profitability and R&D intensive criteria do not apply to the RDEC scheme.
Claims for accounting periods which began on or after 1st April 2024
Merged scheme
This is an amalgamation of the SME and RDEC schemes, adopting a single set of qualifying rules for most businesses that carry out R&D.
Claims for accounting periods which began before 1st April 2024
SME scheme
This applies to companies which have fewer than 500 employees, as well as a turnover of under €100million (£85million) or a balance sheet total under €86million (£73million).
The applicable rate depends on a company’s profitability and whether it qualifies as R&D intensive. To be R&D intensive, a company must have spent more than 40% of its total expenditure on research and development.
SME intensive scheme
This applies to loss-making SMEs for which 30% or more of their total expenditure is on qualifying R&D activities – a reduction from the 40% proportion which applied before April 2024.
There was no change to the criteria defining an SME (see previous section).
Client stories
Cambridge-based data analytics company Cantab Predictive Intelligence (Cantab Pi) was helped by randd in its successful defence during an HMRC enquiry into its R&D Tax Credits claim.
HMRC raised questions about the validity of Cantab Pi’s submission in relation to the R&D projects it included, but we were completely certain the company’s Artificial Intelligence work was eligible.
Therefore, we requested a meeting with an HMRC R&D tax inspector to discuss the projects – after which, at the end of a lengthy process, a letter was received confirming Cantab Pi had won the case and could keep every penny of its claim.
“We are still celebrating the end of a 14-month journey,” said Dr Sinisa Slijepcevic, Founder and CEO of Cantab Pi. “We appreciate the level of support we got from the entire randd team.”
Sinisa gave an insight into how randd had specifically helped Cantab Pi and the type of expertise we provided.
“The process consisted of two different workstreams. One was communication with HMRC and the other was technical advisory and supporting and coaching us in being able to answer the questions and defend our case,” he said.
“Regarding communication with HMRC, I still don’t understand how this fully works but I’m glad we have a team, in randd, that does. It was about supporting both HMRC and us to find a reasonable solution and save time and I think that is what randd did really well.
“They really were instrumental in speeding up communication and making things happen, even though it lasted 14 months. I have absolutely no idea how many years it would have lasted without the randd team.
“At the end, we had to meet the inspector and explain in simple terms why this is proper R&D. We were fully prepared by randd to answer the questions in a concise, precise and accurate but still simple enough and clear enough way for the inspector to be able to understand and to do her job. This was really appreciated.
“Everyone was trying to do his or her job the best they can and the randd team helped us all achieve that goal.”
Sinisa has no hesitation in recommending randd as the go-to expert for R&D tax credit claims.
I would emphasise three things: the first is strong technical knowledge; the second is understanding the process and how HMRC makes decisions; and the third is that randd’s entire process of making a claim and preparing all the paperwork is very efficient.
We got professional help from the randd team - and this means a lot to us.”
Dr Sinisa Slijepcevic, Founder and CEO, Cantab Pi
Cantab Pi
Shropshire-based manufacturing and engineering company AV Birch Ltd has worked with randd to submit its R&D Tax Credits claims to HMRC for 12 years.
AV Birch designs and manufactures machinery across its range of seven divisions –access equipment, automation, engineering, lifting and handling, seals and hydraulics, timber engineering and timber incising.
Many of the projects on which AV Birch works are prototypes, produced to the bespoke requirements of its clients, which means research and development is a fundamental and integral part of its day-to-day operations.
One of the company’s most recent projects was the Auto Press, a machine designed to increase the efficiency and safety of securing steel plates to wooden roof trusses in the housebuilding industry.
“R&D Tax Credits make a huge difference to us,” said Barry Roberts, Finance Director at AV Birch. “The rebate we receive really helps us because you need that money to reinvest.
“We always have cash tied up in projects – for example, the Auto Press project took well over a year to complete - so we have significant lead times and you need that cash buffer because you won’t invest the money today and get a return on it tomorrow. It will be tied up in work in progress for a good number of months.”
Barry believes randd is the perfect fit to manage the R&D Tax Credits claims submitted by AV Birch, hitting the exact mark in being able to maximise the potential relief combined with a thorough knowledge of the company’s operations.
“I think randd are fantastic in having that balance,” he added. “They understand the accountancy side, because it’s a complex tax issue and a service we may struggle to find locally and have a great deal of confidence in that relationship.
“Accountancy practices are very common but not every high-street accountancy practice can manage the R&D side of it, so randd come to the table in terms of understanding the tax side of things but also taking the time to understand what we do as well. It’s very rare someone would have that balance. We have a small finance team, we don’t have the in-house expertise to apply for R&D Tax Credits ourselves.
Dialogue is very good – we are always kept up to date with the stage the process is at and randd work closely with our external accountants, always responsive, taking the time to explain the claim.
It’s always a two-way discussion, with us obtaining the information and randd taking the time to understand our business.”
Barry Roberts, Finance Director,
AV Birch
AV Birch
Success across multiple sectors
How the R&D tax claim process works
R&D Tax Credits are designed to encourage UK companies to invest in research and development projects to innovate products, processes or services. At randd, our aim is to make the claim procedure as simple as possible.
Companies can make an R&D claim each year to reduce their Corporation Tax bill or to receive an R&D tax relief cash payment.
As well as the latest financial year, you can also claim retrospectively for the previous two years. For example, if the end date of your accounting period each year is March 31, you would need to submit your R&D claim for the accounting period April 1 2023 to March 31 2024 before midnight on March 31 2026.
What qualifies for R&D tax relief?
The eligible activities for R&D Tax Credits are:
• Overcoming technical challenges
• Creating and testing prototypes
• Streamlining processes
• Trialling new (or substituting) materials
• Developing bespoke software
• Trial and error
A proportion of the following costs qualify for R&D Tax Credits in relation to staff working directly on the R&D project:
• Wages/salaries
• Class 1 National Insurance contributions
• Pension fund contributions
• Payments to administrative or support staff (e.g. specialist cleaning staff) who work to directly support a project
• Payments made to subcontractors and external workers
• Payments made to clinical trial volunteers
• The cost of materials consumed
• Light, heat and power costs
• Data licensing and cloud computing costs
Which costs can I claim under R&D Tax Credits? Who is eligible for R&D Tax Credits?
• Industry firsts Claims for R&D Tax Credits can be made by UK businesses that fit the following description:
• UK limited companies that are still trading
• Companies of all sizes in all sectors
• Both profitable and loss-making businesses
To be eligible for R&D Tax Credit relief, your business needs to:
• Have a set of financial accounts
• Have a qualifying R&D spend
• Be subject to Corporation Tax
Preparing for your R&D claim
As each R&D tax claim comprises a retrospective look at the work carried out, you will need to be aware that providing a detailed recollection of the R&D projects your business has completed is required.
You will need clear records that can be accessed which break down specific costs. These costs include payroll for any permanent staff included in the R&D and subcontractor invoices, specifically from the dates in question, retrospective across a maximum of the last two accounting periods.
Also important is a concise idea of any wasted materials encountered or prototypes you spent money on, as well as access to utility bill records.
Once you have sufficient information to hand that will give us a good indication of whether you have a viable claim, contact us for an initial discussion.
Our R&D tax claims process
Here’s what our simple R&D claims process involves and what we do to help:
• Establish if your business qualifies for R&D Tax Credits
• Assess whether your R&D activity is eligible to support a claim
• Calculate how much you could be able to claim in R&D Tax Credits
• With your input, we will compile and submit your claim to HMRC
• We will risk-assess your claim at three different key stages to ensure compliance
• Keep you fully informed during the process through to your Tax Credit being received
Other key things to know
It is highly important for randd to manage our clients’ expectations and ensure our processes are undertaken flawlessly to avoid any unexpected obstacles along the way. When you first contact us, what we will not do is state during your initial call that you definitely have a qualifying claim, because there are various restrictions we must work with.
For example, there may be certain elements you think are eligible to be included in an R&D claim when they cannot be. The areas of R&D expenditure need to be clearly managed and described.
We will also ask a lot of questions to make sure each claim is completely valid. If we have any concerns around that, your R&D Tax Credits claim will not be put forward.
Firstly, you will have a pre-qualifying call with a member of our team who, if they deem the activity qualifies, will issue a contract. When the contract has been signed and returned, one of randd’s experienced R&D Tax Credit managers will contact you and book you in for an initial consultation within the first one-to-two week period, depending on availability.
Be assured your claim will be risk-assessed at three separate stages – at sign-up, at the technical meeting and again before submission. Once the claim has been qualified and we have obtained all of your R&D costs, we can calculate the value of your R&D claim and submit it to HMRC.
MEET OUR R&D EXPERTS
Ryan Sian Matt Timby Director Managing Director
Ryan has been an integral part of the business for over a decade, his strategic direction having been pivotal in navigating the complexities of HMRC changes, ensuring the company continues to deliver high-value claims. Ryan’s efforts have also been instrumental in forging strong partnerships with accountancy practices and professional bodies throughout the country, further elevating randd’s standing in the industry.
“Since joining randd, I have been deeply involved in all aspects of the business. Managing a diverse and rapidly growing portfolio of clients, I have specialised in both the SME & RDEC tax schemes. These experiences have empowered me to steer the company with confidence and also to collaborate effectively with randd uk’s leadership team and the wider K3 Capital Group, driving forward the growth and success of the business and its sister brands.
“Under my guidance, randd uk has solidified its reputation as an industry leader in R&D Tax Credits, boasting a proven track record of over 15 years. I am proud to have helped build a team whose loyalty and dedication mirror the cultural values at randd. I have also further augmented my credentials with a Chartership qualification, a testament to my dedication and expertise in the field.”
Covering the whole range of sectors within the R&D tax industry, Matt delivers an efficient, comprehensive accounting overview, operating an open-door policy for colleagues to take any issues his way when guidance and next-step advice are required.
“From strategic planning to nitty-gritty day-to-day issues, I tend to be involved in all aspects of business at randd. Having been here for over 10 years, there are very few situations I haven’t encountered. I’m proud to have helped the company develop and thrive in this time.
“Due to decades of accountancy experience, I have confidence in dealing with HMRC, directors of companies and partners of accountancy firms. I can usually cut to the chase, see beyond, and sort out problems - pragmatically and amicably. I believe my friendly and down-to-earth, but professional and always polite, approach to matters and people is what helps me in this area.
“I’m proud of what I’ve helped randd to achieve, particularly bringing Premier League football clubs on board. Gaining recognition within the Association of Accounting Technicians has been a personal success during my time here too. After a couple of successful claims, I visited their London headquarters and helped to propose a roll-out of lectures we could present to their members. Since then, we’ve presented several of these presentations to their branches across the UK, and it is always a pleasure to do so.”
Adam Bointon
Nigel Langrick Operations Director Technical Director
Adam has been instrumental in transforming randd’s business model from private ownership, through PLC and now private equity. He is also responsible for developing the company’s in-house software platform.
“Working as an R&D Tax Credits specialist since 2009, I help SMEs and large companies in all sectors, identifying research and development activities within their business and converting highly technical information into reports that the layman can read.
“There’s no sector or industry I haven’t encountered within the realm of R&D, providing a level of experience of R&D Tax Credits that few in the field can match. I have been involved in successfully defending numerous HMRC enquiries over the years, for both randd UK clients and external claimants and have an intricate knowledge of this process, from the initial meeting and letter, through to closure notice, working with clients, HMRC case officers and outside agents to help defend claims.
“I now lead the team of Technical Consultants who manage clients’ claims from start to finish, offering advice, insight and training to that team, as well as managing a portfolio of the company’s more significant clients.”
Nigel brings over a decade of in-practice tax experience, having previously held roles at national and regional firms before specialising in R&D tax relief. A trained accountant, Nigel understands the needs of the firms we work with and delivers first-class advice to clients, prioritising their values with speed and integrity and helping their clients to maximise R&D tax relief. Nigel also works alongside fellow directors to support sustainable growth within the firm that continues to achieve our clients’ objectives.
Meet our technical experts
R&D Tax Consultants
Our R&D Tax Consultants collate your financial figures, calculating the costs that can be claimed back from your research and development projects. Ultimately, they determine the amount of your R&D tax credits claim.
Our Sector Specialists
Our experienced R&D consultants have many years of industry knowledge and gain a thorough understanding of your business. They will establish which activities your company has undertaken that are eligible for the claim. This information will be used to write the technical report which is submitted along with the financial figures.
Demi Leadbeater
Paul Grabham
Gabby Patrascan
Stan Payne
Hannah Holcroft
Lewis Pritchard
Tim Barry
Kyle Sawford Lee Middleton
Hugh Wragg
Peter Allen
Anna Zakar
Stan Wilson
James Gagg
Ryan Witchell
Herman Akut
Harry West
Max Pearce
Vanraj Singh
Charlotte Johnson Jason Branigan
Marianne Lindsay
Project Management
Ensuring the process of a claim runs smoothly, our talented and dedicated team members work tirelessly to prepare your R&D tax credit application.
Business Development
Our Business Development team identify, inform and educate UK businesses about R&D tax credits and how randd can help them to capitalise on the scheme.
Angela Draeger
Vanessa West
Sam Scattergood
Marie Edwards Clare Stokes
Nathanael Braoua
Peter Clark
Ellie Read Tasha Frances
Nicole Jade Rory Burke
James Wormington
Adam Flaherty Maemie Tomlinson
Chloe Mcguinness
Part of K3 Capital Group
A complete business service
randd belongs to a growing group of global, complementary professional services companies which provide business owners with high-quality advice across specialist disciplines. Being a part of K3 Capital Group, randd has developed contacts and received access to networks not previously possible as a private limited company.
Our group operates from more than 20 UK and overseas offices, employing over 1,000 staff who provide a full range of advisory services including R&D tax reclaim, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and insolvency, corporate finance, forensic accounting, pensions advisory and legal services.
Other K3 Capital Group companies include:
KBS Corporate Company Sales
The UK’s No.1 mid-market company sales specialist (source: LSEG) with more than 25 years of experience in completing every type of transaction across all industries and sectors. KBS completes more company sales than any other UK adviser year-on-year and has also secured the top spot for the whole of Europe.
Quantuma Restructuring
Among the variety of services offered by Quantuma is helping business owners and individuals who are encountering financial difficulty. The team of experts has vast experience in helping clients find practical and pragmatic solutions, whilst also providing support to ensure matters are handled carefully and sympathetically.
K3 Law Legal Services
A team comprising only best-in-class lawyers who have been handpicked from the UK’s top 50 law firms, with the appropriate levels of expertise. K3 Law’s sell-side legal specialists have vast experience of all the difficulties, complexities and pitfalls that can be encountered during transactions, which qualifies them to proactively negotiate and be solution-focused.
Get in touch
Our team of experts offer an industry-leading service via a dedicated, hands-on approach, specialist tax and technical knowledge, and an unparalleled record of successful claims. This award-winning formula is applied every day to identify R&D Tax Credits eligibility for UK companies across the entire spectrum of industry sectors.
Remember, by appointing randd you will benefit from the following:
• We will help you to obtain a cash refund on overpaid corporation tax over the last two years
• We help you to reduce your corporation tax now and in future years because of your ongoing R&D activities
• We handle and process the full application, ensuring it is compliant with HMRC rules at three separate stages
• Post-claim care and ongoing specialist R&D support and advice
Whether you are new to Tax Credit claims or have previously claimed, our experts are happy to advise you and are available to discuss your company’s R&D projects, eligibility and how we can enable you to join the thousands of companies we have helped to claim back a sizeable amount of R&D spend.
You can contact us by email at info@randduk.com or call us on 01332 409712 – we will be delighted to answer any questions you might have.