Leading business advisory firm Azets has expanded its research and development (R&D) tax relief team across Oxfordshire and the wider South region with two key appointments and a senior promotion. The move supports the firm’s ambitious plan to double its R&D revenues by 2028.
With offices in Witney and Bicester, Azets continues to grow its specialist tax team to help businesses navigate the increasingly complex R&D relief landscape. The latest appointments bring a combination of technical and financial expertise to clients across the South, including London, Kent, the South Coast, and the Home Counties.
Helena Weare joins Azets as an R&D Tax Manager, bringing experience from HSBC Innovation Banking and KPMG. She has worked with funding for innovative businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and now specialises in R&D tax.
Miran Khan, also appointed R&D Tax Manager, was previously with consulting firm Leyton and accountancy firm MHA. A trained mechanical engineer with a BEng from De Montfort University, he bridges the gap between technical innovation and tax strategy.
Azets has also promoted Emma Hussey, Head of R&D in London, to Director. Formerly a chemistry and pharmaceutical researcher with experience at AstraZeneca, Imperial College London, and the European Space Agency, she joined Azets from Cooper Parry earlier this year.
Heather Williams, South Regional Head of R&D, highlighted the firm’s commitment to recruiting technical specialists who understand the intricacies of clients’ systems and processes. The expansion is part of a broader strategy to position Azets as a leader in R&D advisory, ensuring clients benefit from tax reliefs that drive innovation and business growth.
According to the Office for National Statistics, UK business R&D expenditure rose to £50 billion in 2023, up 2.9 per cent from 2022. The South East contributed £8.5 billion of that total, underscoring the region’s importance in national innovation.
With over 8,200 employees across Europe and more than 70 offices in the UK, Azets continues to invest in people and technology to provide forward-thinking advice and sustainable growth for its clients.
