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R&D tax relief

Offering an R&D service can drive business-changing growth for your practice

Draw on the expertise of highly qualified experts to provide your practice with the technical knowledge and support to offer a robust R&D service that can generate new and strengthen existing client relationships.


Innovative UK companies rely on R&D tax relief as a key element of their funding strategy. With renewed government focus on R&D, there is no better time to unlock business‑changing growth.

Why partner with Markel?

Create a valuable R&D offering

With increased HMRC scrutiny and accountability coming into force, an expert team is on hand to support accountants in:

  • Identifying R&D opportunities and reviewing existing claims
  • Compiling specialist technical reports and submissions
  • Providing an expert defence to HMRC challenges

Safeguard your clients for the long term

Using an experienced and credible R&D provider ensures that the technical application is robust enough to stand up to HMRC scrutiny. A team of technical consultants, including PhD scientists, technologists, engineers and software engineers is on hand to support you.

Start benefitting from a Markel R&D partnership today

Request a call back Or call us now on 03300 139971 

About R&D tax relief

  • Adhesives, sealants, chemicals and paints
  • Agriculture
  • Alarms and CCTV
  • Automotive industry
  • Aviation and marine
  • Cosmetics and personal care
  • Clothing, textiles and fabrics
  • Energy harnessing
  • Fire and safety
  • Food and drink
  • Foundries
  • Games software industry
  • Insurance brokers (software development)
  • Manufacturing, engineering and electronics
  • Pharmaceuticals and medical
  • Printing and packaging
  • Property and construction
  • Security, lightning and electrical
  • Software development, IT & telecommunications
  • Travel agencies

To qualify for R&D tax relief, a company must be: 

  1. Attempting to make an appreciable improvement to new or existing products, technology, processes or services, although this does not necessarily mean ground-breaking, innovative, or novel work. If companies are aiming to make their products or process cheaper, faster, smaller, or better in some way, then this may qualify as R&D.
    2.  
  2. Overcoming technological uncertainties or challenges, especially if the solution will not be immediately obvious to a qualified professional. The company may need to go through a “trial and error” process to achieve the required solution. 
    3.  

Start benefitting from a Markel R&D partnership today

Request a call back using the form here.
Or call us now on 03300 139971  

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Case studies

  • Mobile Payment Technology Developers

    The advance in technology is the development of a unique software platform that can be used by consumers as part of a common loyalty programme with their chosen retailers. It will also accept and process payments through a simple, fast mobile app without the need to carry multiple loyalty cards.

    Technological uncertainties included:
    • Ensuring the data is securely stored due to confidentiality issues.
    • Developing the app to work on different operating systems such as Android and IOS.
    • Creating a newly encrypted QR code for every transaction to prove that the code has uniquely visited the device.

    Value of the claim: £182,972.71

  • Aviation and Marine

    The development of alternative means to dispersing detergents onto oil spills that was not aircraft specific.

    Technological uncertainties included:
    • How to develop a system that did not require a dedicated airframe.
    • How to power and install the pumps to release the spray evenly on a more flexible system.
    • Developing a control mechanism to ensure that all pumps and valves met regulatory requirements.
    • The development of the nozzles which were modified for their angles and projection to provide sufficient breadth of dispersal whilst making use of the airstream to force some of the detergent back around the rear of the aircraft.

    Value of the claim: £70,140