Northampton-based TC Group has promoted R&D tax specialist Felix Medd to Director and Head of Research & Development, reflecting the firm’s continued investment in specialist tax advisory services.
Felix, who joined TC Group in October 2024 as Associate Director, now leads the firm’s national R&D tax advisory team, supporting businesses seeking to access tax relief while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
His promotion comes as businesses face significant changes to the UK’s R&D tax relief regime. Recent reforms and increased scrutiny from HM Revenue & Customs have placed greater emphasis on ensuring claims are well documented and supported by appropriate evidence.
Felix said the changing landscape meant businesses needed to think differently about preparing claims.
“The most significant shift’s been HMRC’s approach to scrutiny. While enquiry rates have reduced for firms that consistently prioritise compliance, the enquiries themselves can be detailed, time-consuming and constantly evolving.
“As a result, what makes a strong claim today isn’t simply meeting the technical criteria or maximising eligible costs. Businesses also need to be able to demonstrate how their projects satisfy the rules and ensure they have the evidence to support that position if challenged.”
He believes many businesses carrying out genuine research and development activities are still failing to claim the relief available to them.
“Ultimately, the bar’s been raised, but for companies undertaking genuine R&D, the relief remains one of the most valuable incentives available. The strongest claims are built throughout the life of a project, not retrospectively. Capturing the right information as projects progress puts businesses in a much stronger position and removes a significant amount of risk later on.”
According to TC Group, its R&D specialists work alongside the firm’s wider tax and advisory teams to identify qualifying activity earlier in the development process and integrate R&D planning into broader business advice.
Stephen Watts, Group Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer at TC Group, said: “Felix has made a significant impact since joining TC and so this promotion’s hugely deserved. His technical expertise, leadership and commitment to delivering the highest standards of client service have strengthened our R&D offering, helping more businesses access specialist support while positioning the team for future growth.
“We look forward to seeing the team continue to thrive under his leadership and more businesses benefiting from his sound advice.”
TC Group said the appointment reflects its continued investment in specialist advisory services as demand grows for expert guidance on R&D tax relief.
