From the Scientific Revolution to the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, the UK has a rich heritage of innovation and innovation remains a major engine of economic growth. In 2023, sectors directly linked to science and technology contributed approximately £164.1 billion, or 6.9% of the UK’s economy. Innovative businesses consistently outperform their peers, with sales growth three times higher than non-innovators.
At Catalyst, we’re passionate about innovation and many of our team members bring firsthand experience in research and development – Mike has been inventing engineering products since the 1970s, while Charlotte’s PhD in Biochemistry focused on vaccine development. As a team, we find science and technology a fascinating and important area and we’re committed to helping ensure its funded and advanced.
These changes have not only reshaped how claims are managed but also how advisors operate, with some altering their fee structures, others automating large parts of their process, and many leaving the market altogether.
Catalyst R&D was created to be part of the solution. We saw an industry where too many businesses, whether small and ambitious or large and established, weren’t getting the level of support they needed.
There is no doubt that the R&D tax advice marketplace has changed significantly in recent years. From the impact of Covid-19 to shifting benefit rates, new legislation, and HMRC’s tougher stance on enquiries, the landscape has become more complex and more uncertain. These changes have not only reshaped how claims are managed but also how advisors operate, with some altering their fee structures, others automating large parts of their process, and many leaving the market altogether. For businesses, this has created a sense of uncertainty and left many searching for the right support.
Catalyst R&D was created to be part of the solution. We saw an industry where too many businesses, whether small and ambitious or large and established, weren’t getting the level of guidance and care they needed. Some were priced out of quality advice, while others were overlooked by providers that treated claims as a transactional process rather than a relationship. We wanted to build something different: a consultancy that combines genuine technical depth with personal, client-led support, where every business feels listened to, understood, and properly represented.
Our approach is straightforward: pair specialist expertise in R&D Tax Credits, Patent Box, and Grant Funding with a dedicated focus on relationships.
Larger organisations come to us because they’re tired of being a number in a system and want proactive, tailored advice that digs into the details. Smaller businesses rely on us to give them access to the same level of expertise usually reserved for the few. By blending industry experience with tax and legislative knowledge, we deliver claims that are not only accurate but also robust and defendable under scrutiny.
What drives us most is the belief that innovation should never be held back by a lack of access to quality advice.
We’re passionate about giving businesses clarity and confidence in their claims, so they can focus their energy on what they do best: pushing boundaries, creating new solutions, and driving growth. For us, it’s not just about navigating incentives, it’s about empowering people and organisations to take bold steps forward.
This is why we take the time to understand not just the technical detail, but the people and vision behind every project. It’s why we prioritise year-round support over one-off transactions. And it’s why we’ve built a team that values integrity, transparency, and relationships as much as technical excellence.