Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director, Author at Source Advisors

HMRC tax and policy

Does the new merged RDEC scheme support FTT decisions?

After what seems to have been a long time coming, we are finally reaching the point where the merged R&D expenditure credit scheme will become

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 17 March 2025

HMRC tax and policy

What are the Chancellors options when it comes to R&D tax relief?

Every year, HMRC publishes statistics to show how the R&D tax relief schemes are being used. In recent years the focus has been on the

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 30 September 2024

R&D tax relief

Fraudulent behaviour in the R&D tax relief market – one sting is not enough

Anyone who is even remotely connected to R&D tax relief, or indeed tax and accounting more generally, will have now seen the excellent piece shining

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 30 August 2024

Our research

Regardless of who’s in power – can the UK actually win?

The election continues to be fought on many fronts and as we reach the final hurdle, a key theme is coming through loud and clear

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 2 July 2024

R&D tax relief

What do the 2024 General Election Manifestos mean for innovation?

With the election in full swing and reaching a key point this week with the eagerly awaited manifesto launches, we look at what the Labour

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 14 June 2024

Our people

Source Advisors, previously GovGrant – new name, same commitment to R&D and IP consultancy services

On 1 February 2024, GovGrant became known as Source Advisors in the UK, and you’ll see that brand change in our documentation and digital presence. However, our

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 1 February 2024

HMRC tax and policy

What do UK tax leaders think of recent changes to the R&D tax landscape? Evolution or Revolution

At the end of November 2023, we held our second roundtable discussion. Following the success of our first event in April 2023, it is important

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 7 December 2023

Accountants

What do tax leaders need to deliver R&D tax incentives to the most innovative companies in the UK?

The R&D tax relief advisory market is responding to ever-changing legislation, a more robust approach from HMRC, and uncertainties in future policy direction. Last week

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 3 May 2023

R&D tax relief

GovGrant partners with Source Advisors

Roll the clock back to 2006 and R&D tax was a thing people barely knew about. Compare that to now where it dominates the government

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 31 March 2023

HMRC tax and policy

What does a good technical report look like?

Unsurprisingly, HMRC are turning up the heat on R&D tax relief claims, and what was once deemed a quick win by business owners, accountants, and

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 6 February 2023

R&D tax relief

Contingent fees – a positive sign that we’re aligned to our clients

In recent press coverage, I’ve noticed that some commentators have used the term “no win, no fee” as a derogatory indicator of poor practice. That

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 25 November 2022

HMRC tax and policy

Autumn Statement 2022 – our initial response

What did the Chancellor announce in the Autumn Statement today? The R&D tax relief schemes were specifically mentioned by The Chancellor of Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 17 November 2022

R&D tax relief

Firms cash in on questionable tax credits – our thoughts

You may have seen an article in The Times this weekend, titled ‘Free money from HMRC’: firms cash in on questionable tax credits. The article

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 2 November 2022

HMRC tax and policy

HMRC releases 2022 statistics for R&D and Patent Box tax relief

The latest statistics showing the value of R&D tax relief and Patent Box were published by HMRC today. What does an initial look at this

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 29 September 2022

Our research

Small Business Equity Tracker – how are the UK’s innovative SMEs faring?

The British Business Bank recently published the latest news from the Small Business Equity Tracker. We take a look at the detail to find out

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 26 July 2022

Our research

Launch of our latest research into Innovate UK performance

We have just released our latest research report, a deep dive analysis into the performance of 18 years of Innovate UK investments, with successful applications

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 21 July 2022

HMRC tax and policy

UK Digital Strategy – full on intent but lighter on new policy

The UK Digital Strategy policy paper was published on 13 June 2022. It reconfirms the government’s intent to make the UK the best place in

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 30 June 2022

HMRC tax and policy

Response to R&D Tax Reliefs Consultation – further information 2022

There were a number of proposed changes relating to the R&D scheme in the Autumn budget 2021. In the Autumn HMRC published their proposals and

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 14 February 2022

R&D tax relief

What’s changing in the R&D tax relief market?

The conversation that GovGrant has been having with our clients over the last 5 years has evolved. We started with “have you heard about R&D

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 9 February 2022

R&D tax relief

How to select the right R&D advisor for your business?

There are currently a lot of players in the exceptionally crowded space of R&D tax credits. As a consequence, there are probably a lot of

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 9 February 2022

HMRC tax and policy

Latest R&D tax relief scheme changes, as announced in the Autumn Budget 2021

What was announced in the Autumn Budget 2021 concerning R&D tax credits? Following on from that consultation reforms that were announced in the Autumn Budget

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 2 December 2021

HMRC tax and policy

Budget 2021: What does it mean for R&D and innovation?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, presented his Autumn Budget and Spending Review to Parliament on Wednesday 27 October 2021. There were very few

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 10 November 2021

HMRC tax and policy

Day of reckoning for unscrupulous R&D tax providers as HMRC comes calling

The latest statistics showing the value of R&D tax relief were published by HMRC in October 2021. And as we noted at the time the

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 4 November 2021

HMRC tax and policy

HMRC’s statistics for R&D and Patent Box tax relief – GovGrant commentary

The latest statistics showing the value of R&D tax relief and Patent Box were published by HMRC yesterday. What does an initial look at this

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 1 October 2021

Our people

GovGrant finalists in the Lloyds British Business Excellence and The Business Culture Awards

GovGrant has been announced as a finalist in two categories of the Business Culture Awards, for Best Working Environments & Practices Initiative and Best Small

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 16 September 2021

Intellectual Property services

The UK government is right to put IP at the heart of new innovation strategy

At the end of July, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) announced that a strong intellectual property system will be key as the UK aims to

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 11 August 2021

HMRC tax and policy

Is the UK’s flagship industrial policy a costly failure? No way!

A recent report by David Connell, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Business Research Cambridge Judge Business School, seeks to reappraise the objectives of the R&D

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 2 June 2021

Our research

GovGrant launches CBI Economics analysis – Prosperity Pending

R&D and innovation specialists GovGrant have today revealed the UK economy is failing to capitalise on its world-leading academic prowess and intellect by not translating

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 2 May 2021

HMRC tax and policy

Budget 2021 – what it means to innovative companies in the UK

The Chancellor had a tough task today in dealing with the short term needs and long term recovery that Covid-19 necessitated. It is encouraging to

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 3 March 2021

Intellectual Property services

Is there a gender gap in innovation?

Today is the UN’s “International Day of Women and Girls in Science”. As a business, GovGrant is at the heart of the innovation ecosystem it’s

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 10 February 2021

R&D tax relief

R&D tax credit calculator – What is it really telling you?

We know that a lot of competitors have a “calculator” on their website or examples of R&D claims. We’ve never felt that this was necessary,

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 19 November 2020

Intellectual Property services

The Patent wake-up call

For the first time ever, HMRC have independently reviewed the Patent Box scheme to understand if it is an effective tool in the government R&D

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 18 November 2020

HMRC tax and policy

Three challenges revealed in this year’s HMRC statistics

Now that I have had some time to digest the recent update from HMRC in respect of the R&D tax credits and Patent Box statistics,

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 6 October 2020

HMRC tax and policy

Latest R&D tax credits and Patent Box statistics are out

The latest Research and Development Tax Credits and Patent Box statistics have been released today by HMRC. It’s encouraging to see a year-on-year increase in

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 30 September 2020

R&D tax relief

When is a disruptor really a distraction?

I am a change agent, always have been. I love to challenge the status quo of our business, with a drive to improve the outcomes

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 22 September 2020

Accountants

Inside Accountancy podcast: Targeting tax incentives

As businesses look to recover from this year’s crisis, investment in R&D is a vital step for a sustainable UK economic recovery. In their latest

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 8 September 2020

HMRC tax and policy

The need for regulation in R&D tax advisors

There has been much talk about the regulation surrounding R&D tax advisors and it is a welcome conversation. I would love to work with like-minded

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 7 September 2020

HMRC tax and policy

HMRC’s hallmarks of Research and Development

In the recent HMRC consultation regarding the R&D tax credit cap for SMEs, they talked about a need to identify and rely on ‘Hallmarks’ of

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 8 July 2020

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant responds to the government launch of the R&D Roadmap

On 1 July 2020 the government released an R&D Roadmap to set out vision to attract global talent, cut unnecessary bureaucracy and cement the UK

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 1 July 2020

HMRC tax and policy

When HMRC investigates – what does it tell us about our industry

HMRC recently reported on the outcome of a first tier tax tribunal case investigation into an R&D tax claim.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 22 May 2020

HMRC tax and policy

Speed of deployment – the measure of success for government support during Covid-19

In his first ever budget the Chancellor was bold and ambitious with his plans but since the 11 March the world and economy have changed beyond

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 15 May 2020

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant – an active member of the CBI R&D working group

GovGrant – a seat at the table when policy is discussed Over the years our business has grown as a direct response to government initiatives

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 22 April 2020

R&D tax relief

Accelerate cashflow thanks to your R&D

R&D tax credits provide a real financial benefit to UK companies. As part of the UK governments commitment to R&D and innovation, it is one

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 7 April 2020

Our people

Leisure in Lockdown – at least your mind is free to wander

“What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.” The words of welsh poet W H Davies were

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 25 March 2020

HMRC tax and policy

Spring Budget supports R&D tax relief

The chancellor stands firm on the government’s commitment to R&D tax relief. The government have announced sweeping measures to turbocharge the UK economy and commitment

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 11 March 2020

HMRC tax and policy

What does this election mean for innovation in the UK

The golden rule in an office, never talk politics – well sorry, I feel that I need to break that rule! The election manifestos have

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 26 November 2019

Accountants

R&D Tax Credits: doing nothing is not an option

In their latest podcast, Accountancy Age spoke to GovGrant’s CEO, Luke Hamm, about the need for the R&D tax credit programme to be kickstarted in

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 15 October 2019

HMRC tax and policy

Government must do more to support innovation or risk losing our best businesses to competitors

Innovation tax specialist GovGrant comments on the annual HMRC tax credits statistics and says Government needs to demonstrate that it really is pro-business. Commenting before

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 10 October 2019

HMRC tax and policy

Good news in HMRC R&D tax credits report, but new policies needed to boost growth

Commenting on HMRC’s analysis of UK R&D tax credits in its report, published today Luke Hamm, CEO of innovation tax specialist GovGrant, which has helped

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 10 October 2019

Our people

Unleashing Opportunities – GovGrant leads the way at SME event

GovGrant collaborated with four other firms aiming to help SMEs maximise their innovation opportunities at a June event in partnership with Business Funding Show. It

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 27 June 2019

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant CEO Luke Hamm asks whether the government should be upping the pace on its artificial intelligence strategy

The government’s latest Industrial Strategy report on artificial intelligence (AI) delivers some welcome headlines, but I have a nagging feeling that progress in creating a

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 11 June 2019

R&D tax relief

GovGrant urges action on innovation tax credit fraud but to keep the claim process simple

GovGrant CEO Luke Hamm has welcomed HMRC’s (HM Revenue & Customs) decision to crack down on abuse of the R&D tax relief system. GovGrant, which

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 7 June 2019

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant CEO Luke Hamm explores what lessons China’s industrial strategy can offer the UK

Luke Hamm is CEO of GovGrant, a specialist adviser helping companies take advantage of generous government tax incentives for innovation. You can’t keep China out

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 31 May 2019

R&D tax relief

Medtech and biopharma can drive the UK growth agenda and more support should be given

The UK’s biopharma and medtech sector is a world class sector with potential for stellar growth, according to Luke Hamm, CEO of GovGrant, which helps

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 3 May 2019

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant urges Chancellor not to go ‘down under’ for innovation and R&D tax policy ideas

Australian government proposals to restrict tax incentives for R&D and innovation have been delayed following an outcry from business and research groups. The proposals, intended

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 18 February 2019

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant CEO says urgent reform of UK Patent Policy needed

Hacker Young study identifies obtaining more AI patents as key to UK’s future growth System for obtaining patents stacked against SMEs

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 24 January 2019

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant calls for more R&D investment after latest EU stats rank UK at 11, well behind EU competitors

Commenting on the latest R&D figures from Eurostat [Estimates of Research & Development expenditure – 10 January], where the UK ranked 11th among EU member

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 11 January 2019

Accountants

Accountants urged to champion innovation tax credits

Preliminary GovGrant research finds a potential 50% service gap in for UK businesses. Over a third, (38%) of UK accountancy practices may not provide their

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 8 January 2019

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant welcomes new government initiative to help small businesses

Luke Hamm, chief executive of innovation tax specialist GovGrant, has welcomed the government’s announcement that it is to introduce new laws to protect small businesses

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 10 December 2018

Our people

GovGrant hands top business award to Ultima

Luke Hamm, CEO of GovGrant was on hand to give the 2018 Thames Valley Business Magazine award for best use of technology and innovation to

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 30 November 2018

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant: Agri-Business a Key Sector for Investment and Active Policymaking

GovGrant, the innovation and R&D tax credits specialist, has welcomed the government’s commitment to the agri-tech sector following the outcome of a government-sponsored roundtable earlier

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 24 October 2018

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant urges boost for productivity and innovation in the October Budget

GovGrant, the innovation and R&D tax specialist, has urged the Chancellor to use the tax system to boost the UK’s army of inventors and innovators

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 23 October 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Latest Govt stats highlight how SMEs are critical to the health of the nation.

Business powers our economy, even if Boris Johnson colourfully disagrees, and the Chancellor has a chance to underscore the government’s support for business – especially

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 15 October 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Innovation statistics: the government could do better says GovGrant

The Chancellor has announced that Budget day 2018, one of the busiest news days in the financial calendar, will be earlier than expected, on 29

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 1 October 2018

Our people

GovGrant featured in The Business Magazine

Entrepreneurial businesses can capitalise on their innovations by taking advantage of government incentives. R&D tax relief adviser GovGrant’s chief executive officer Luke Hamm tells Tim

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 5 September 2018

Our people

Interview with Luke Hamm, CEO GovGrant

Tell me about your background and how/why you became CEO at GovGrant?

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 4 September 2018

R&D tax relief

Not enough insurtechs in FCA Sandbox – Insurance Times feature

This year saw only three insurtechs in the FCA Sandbox out of 29 firms in total.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 24 August 2018

R&D tax relief

Innovation the key for better business

One of the more heartening aspects of this year’s Federation of Small Business (FSB) innovation survey is that SMEs know they need to innovate, particularly

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 22 August 2018

R&D tax relief

CEO featured in Insurance Times

The insurance industry is missing out on claiming back research and development (R&D) tax.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 22 August 2018

R&D tax relief

Why SMEs are not accessing R&D tax credits

The Federation of Small Business (FSB) innovation survey stands out like a sore thumb. There are a huge number of SMEs not accessing or not

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 14 August 2018

HMRC tax and policy

GovGrant calls for UK’s innovative businesses to take up Government R&D support

GovGrant, the leading innovation tax relief specialist, has welcomed what the government has described as the ‘biggest increase in public R&D (research and development) funding

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 9 August 2018

R&D tax relief

Most small businesses are innovating

Results from this year’s Federation of Small Business (FSB) innovation survey make for interesting reading.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 8 August 2018

Accountants

How AI is changing all our lives – even for accountants

The march of artificial intelligence is seemingly unstoppable. An AI-world is viewed with alarm or excitement depending, I suspect on whether the Terminator movies increase

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 31 July 2018

Accountants

Who ya gonna call?

We are working more closely than ever with accountants to help businesses secure the grants that are so vital to encourage continued innovation which not

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 3 July 2018

Intellectual Property services

Whose idea was it anyway?

Anyone old enough to remember the BBC comedy series Harry Enfield and Chums may recall the wonderful public information film pastiche sketches which always ended

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 26 June 2018

R&D tax relief

Shine a light on hidden innovation

Hidden innovation needs to be brought out from the shadows and into the spotlight.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 20 June 2018

R&D tax relief

Industry 4.0 A flashy catchphrase or the next industrial revolution?

The term “Industry 4.0” originates from a project in the high-tech strategy of the German government promoting the computerisation of manufacturing and adopted globally as

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 16 May 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Can the government help fund your manufacturing business?

It is certainly in the best interest of the UK to bolster the manufacturing capabilities of UK companies, especially during turbulent times when international trading

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 15 May 2018

R&D tax relief

There’s a revolution going on way out west

It may be best known for cider and clotted cream, but there is a revolution going on in the South West of the UK with

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 24 April 2018

Our people

GovGrant in Europe’s top 100

Business innovation funding and tax relief specialist GovGrant has been shortlisted for a prestigious global award.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 17 April 2018

R&D tax relief

R&D tax relief: what, when and how

If you have a company that does a lot of research and development, you will want to look into the R&D tax claims you can

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 3 April 2018

R&D tax relief

R&D tax relief: is it worth the effort?

Getting a tax credit for making your business better and more efficient, or for bringing a new product to light, is a great thing. It

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 27 March 2018

R&D tax relief

R&D spending, European trailblazers and Brexit implications

The new official bulletin on R&D spending statistics makes for fascinating reading from a business point of view. Produced annually by the Office for National

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 22 March 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Green Energy – every business can do it.

It is an essential element of the UK Industrial Strategy to encourage businesses to invest in green energy to ensure, we continue to reduce our

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 20 March 2018

R&D tax relief

What can make claiming a R&D tax credit complicated?

When assessing research and development projects, knowing which ones qualify for R&D tax credits can help you plan your strategy and budget. When spending money

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 13 March 2018

HMRC tax and policy

We have a seat at the table

Last night, GovGrant hosted a dinner at the House of Commons with a number of MPs, industry experts and our clients to discuss how government

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 8 March 2018

R&D tax relief

What to expect from GovGrant

Are you the owner of a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in the UK and think that you could be entitled to research and development

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 27 February 2018

Industrial Internet of Things: Now is the time to be bold

The statistics are truly mind-blowing and should act as a wake-up call to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK. According to figures from

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 20 February 2018

R&D tax relief

Here’s hoping that Georgie will shine the spotlight on R&D

If I was being completely honest I am really not sure how I would react if a member of my team told me they were

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 16 February 2018

Technology has triggered an earthquake in the financial services world

Advances in technology and the ever evolving digital landscape have triggered what can only be described as a revolution in the normally conservative world of

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 30 January 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Getting rid of scheme would be patently wrong

A long awaited report into tax credit relief was pretty much guaranteed to make waves because of its forthright views. The Institute for Public Policy

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 23 January 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Government needs to make sure that the support goes where it is needed the most

Everyone knows that running your own business is one of the toughest challenges out there in the professional world. It takes a mixture of guts,

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 16 January 2018

HMRC tax and policy

Government gets it right on Innovation

Philip Hammond made it abundantly clear in his Budget that innovation and creativity are the driving forces behind the UK’s economy.

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 24 November 2017

Our people

What’s in a name?

On 2 October 2017, GGTC, Capital Allowance Specialists, and Patent Box Consultations starting trading as GovGrant – why?

Luke Hamm | UK Managing Director 20 October 2017