Research and Development Expert Advisory Panel (RDEAP)
An HMRC-chaired advisory group, the Research and Development (R&D) Expert Advisory Panel provides sectoral insight and guidance to support the administration of R&D tax reliefs. It meets quarterly and contributes to HMRC communications, guidance, and strategic understanding of innovation across sectors.
Membership
Six externally appointed experts. Chair and Secretariat from Corporation Tax Innovation and Growth, HMRC. Other HMRC representatives, and representatives from other government departments by invitation.
External appointees detail:
| Name | Expertise | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Oliver Stevens | AI/Technological development | Chartered AI systems engineer with 15+ years’ experience across healthcare, biotech, legal tech, and creative sectors. Led R&D, advised on AI strategy, and held Chief Science Officer/Chief Technology Officer roles. A Fellow at Oxford and the Royal Academy of Engineering. |
| Nektaria Efthymiou | AI | Senior technology leader with 20+ years in telecoms innovation. As BT’s Network Platform and Security Research Director, leading AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability efforts. Formerly with Fujitsu, Atkins, and O2, also advises the European Commission on research funding. |
| Zahra Jawad | Life sciences | CEO of Creasallis, pioneering antibody technologies for solid tumours. With 18 years in biotech and pharma, she’s led innovation at bit.bio, Agenus, and GSK. |
| Gareth Jenkins | Life sciences | Senior executive with 25+ years in pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation, currently VP of Science and Technology at Quotient Sciences. He’s led innovation in drug development and held CSO and CEO roles at Arcinova and Britest. |
| Melissa Strange | Life sciences | Senior finance executive with 18+ years in life sciences, spanning drug discovery, MedTech, and biotech. As Chief Financial Officer of Bind Research and Enterobiotix, she leads funding, strategy, and international growth. |
| Richard Scaife | Advanced manufacturing | Chartered Mechanical Engineer with 38 years in industrial R&D, product development, and strategic leadership. Recently retired Development Director at the University of Sheffield’s Advance Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing and now Visiting Professor. |
Terms of reference:
- the name of the panel will be the Research and Development Expert Advisory Panel (RDEAP)
- the panel shall be made up of:
- appointed experts from across business
- representatives from HMRC – additional representatives from HMRC and from other government departments will attend as appropriate for discussion and at the Chair’s discretion
- the Panel will be advisory, so will not have decision-making authority, though it may make recommendations to existing governance and decision-making bodies as appropriate – recommendations will be made by consensus
- the panel will:
- provide insights into cutting-edge R&D to enhance HMRC understanding of innovation and developments in specific sectors
- improve guidance to offer the support required for specific technical sectors – this will include reviewing relevant guidance, ensuring it remains up to date and provides clarity to claimants
- provide sectoral feedback on the reliefs, acting as a forum for discussion on specific sectoral issues arising from the administration of the R&D tax reliefs
- support HMRC communications and messaging, improve webinars and existing communication products, develop targeted communications, and provide key contextual updates for sectors to aid compliance, including horizon scanning of upcoming innovations that could prompt future claims
- the Panel will supplement other groups already in existence: R&D Communication Forum and R&D Representative Bodies Working Group
- the Panel will not:
- examine individual cases, for example the affairs of any taxpayer, the conduct of an individual investigation, or complaints about the conduct of HMRC staff, as HMRC has established governance procedures for dealing with these
- consider government tax policy
- have access to confidential taxpayer information or case records
- be involved in making operational decisions
- be involved in dispute resolution related to specific cases either via ADR or any other process
- the Panel will be chaired by the Deputy Director in HMRC’s Corporation Tax Innovation and Growth team (CTI&G)
- the Panel will meet quarterly with additional meetings or correspondence as needed
- information shared by HMRC is confidential unless otherwise stated, and must not be distributed without the Chair’s permission – use of AI bots or automated systems to attend or participate in meetings is strictly prohibited without prior approval
- all members of the panel are subject to HMRC’s declaration of confidentiality under Section 3 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005
- the Panel, via the Chair and relevant HMRC Director General will produce and share regular reports of key outputs
- the Chair may escalate risks and other issues for full consideration to appropriate parties where they consider necessary