Meet Knight R&D: Who we are and why we built this consultancy

Knight R&D was established with a clear objective: to deliver an R&D tax advisory service defined by technical depth, rigour and transparency.

Our founder, Rupert Mayo, spent a decade advising on R&D tax relief within a ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm, having previously trained and worked as a scientist. That combination of technical grounding and tax expertise shaped the foundation of the consultancy. The intention was not simply to prepare claims, but to approach R&D tax relief with the same discipline and analytical thinking applied within scientific and engineering environments.

From the outset, the aim was to create a specialist practice capable of handling complex, high-value submissions with care and precision.

A different approach to R&D advisory

R&D tax relief sits between legislation and real-world technical activity, and it requires an understanding of both.

We built Knight R&D around the belief that a high-quality claim cannot be produced through templates or surface-level interviews. It requires structured engagement with engineers, scientists and finance teams. It requires time invested in understanding the technical context. It requires careful interpretation of legislation and guidance.

Our approach is therefore exhaustive, transparent and robust by design.

We do not cap engagement or limit dialogue, and we do not rely on generic narratives. Each submission is prepared to reflect the specific circumstances of the business and the technical work undertaken.

Building a specialist team

Our recruitment strategy has always reflected our philosophy. We prioritise individuals with strong technical qualifications and experience – professionals who understand what companies are doing to improve products and processes.

Every specialist is trained internally, ensuring consistency of methodology and interpretation. Our team is developed to understand the entire R&D tax regime, across both technical and financial dimensions. This integrated knowledge is critical in complex claims where interpretation and cost treatment must align.

The result is a consultancy built on technical fluency and shared standards.

Why we exist

Many businesses undertaking genuine innovation fail to realise the full value of their work. In other cases, claims are prepared without sufficient depth, exposing companies to unnecessary risk.

Knight R&D exists to address both issues.

Our purpose is to ensure that qualifying R&D is identified thoroughly, articulated clearly and supported properly. We believe innovation should be rewarded, but it should also be defended with precision.

For us, success is not defined by volume of claims submitted. It is defined by the quality of the work, the strength of the relationships we build, and the confidence our clients have in the submissions we prepare.

Looking ahead

R&D tax relief continues to evolve. Scrutiny has increased and expectations around evidential standards have risen. In this environment, careful preparation and legislative precision matter more than ever.

Knight R&D was built for that environment.

We remain committed to delivering advisory work that is technically informed, carefully structured and capable of standing up to detailed review. Not only today, but over the long term.