Meet the team

Sophie stepped up to become RCK's first Group CEO in October 2025, from the role of RCK's General Counsel and Head of Legal, Data and Compliance. Sophie’s legal career has spanned over 13 years. Prior to joining RCK, she has spent the last seven years leading an in-house legal, data and compliance team at a leading law firm. Her experience incorporates all things legal (contracts/ litigation/ corporate), data protection, procurement, costs challenges, funding, compliance and dispute resolution. Prior to this, she worked in private practice in asset finance at Norton Rose, specialising in Shipping and Aviation Finance. Within her role of Group CEO, Sophie will focus on strategic-growth, exploring international expansion, growing RCK's service lines, and leading technology-driven projects. Outside of work she is kept busy with her three young children.

James Gibson is the Chief Executive Officer of RCK Partners and is focused on ensuring that the business continues to support UK company's growth and innovation. James has been working in the tax incentives industry since 2016. Since joining the firm in 2020, he has been instrumental to the growth of RCK and in 2024 was appointed CEO.

Wayne is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Prior to joining RCK, Wayne fulfilled the role of Group Commercial Finance Manager in a premium listed business in the professional services sector. Overall, Wayne has 14 years’ experience of working within manufacturing engineering, insurance, professional and financial services in a range of senior commercial and technical finance positions spanning the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia.

As an experienced R&D professional, Peter completed an engineering doctorate whilst working within a FTSE 100 central R&D department and subsequently worked in development engineering, refining precious metals, before undertaking management consulting work to implement innovation software. Having worked within one of Europe's largest innovation funding providers, Peter has worked extensively on engineering, construction, manufacturing, and agricultural R&D claims. With a core background in R&D and Chemical Engineering, Peter can better understand the challenges encountered by his clients, applying technology driven solutions into corporation tax services on behalf of clients.

Eli is a UK-trained Chartered Tax Adviser (ATT and CTA) and an accredited mediator, with over eleven years’ experience across multiple areas of taxation. His career includes working in Private Client Tax at Smith & Williamson (now Evelyn Partners) and Tax Dispute Resolution at BDO. Eli excels as a resilient problem-solver with a keen interest in helping clients navigate and resolve complex tax disputes. As Head of Risk & Compliance, Eli leads the Compliance Team, ensuring all claims made by RCK meet the firm’s rigorous standards including compliance with both the legislation and the Revenues guidance, without compromising on the value of relief to which clients are entitled. The Compliance Team also manages all correspondence with The Revenue, and any arising Revenue Interventions. Outside of tax, Eli's passionate about helping others navigate the convoluted care system. This stems from his lived experience as a primary carer for his brother-in-law who has Down’s Syndrome.

Kirsten has over 20 years of experience in financial and accounts management, with a strong focus on audit, reporting, and funding. Her grant funding work began with Castle Leslie and the Caledon Estate, where she helped secure and manage cross-border and Enterprise Ireland grants to support major development projects. Since joining Monaghan Mushrooms over a decade ago, she has supported a wide range of R&D initiatives, working closely with grant bodies such as Enterprise Ireland, Innovate UK, and Horizon 2020. Her role expanded to include R&D tax relief, helping companies navigate Revenue legislation, prepare audit files, and secure millions in tax savings. She has also worked with R&D tax systems in the UK and Germany. With a proven track record across financial reporting, audits, and funding strategy, she helps innovative businesses reinvest in growth and remain at the forefront of their industries.

James specialises in Research and Development tax relief claims within the field of Computer and Information Science. He has experience in both claim preparation and HMRC & Irish Revenue defence, particularly for complex claims relating to innovative software companies. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Information Technology Management for Business from Northumbria University and has completed the ATT Foundation in Business Taxation. Prior to joining RCK, James worked as a Manager at ABGi, part of Groupe SNEF, supporting a range of technology focused R&D claims across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.