RSM New Zealand has announced the appointment of Emma Richards as their newest
Partner and launch of a Research & Development (R&D) Tax service line.

The new service is dedicated to helping Kiwi businesses access and optimise government incentives.

With over 25 years in tax and 16 years in innovation, Emma brings deep technical expertise
and a collaborative, hands-on approach. Her background as a UK HMRC R&D Unit
Inspector and her work across IT, construction, biotech, and food technologies give her a
unique perspective on what makes a strong, defensible claim.
 

“Innovation shouldn’t stall for clarity or confidence,” said Emma Richards, Partner, R&D Tax. 

“Our approach is hands-on and outcome-focused and we’re already working with amazing business who are looking for smart ways to drive their products and operations forward.”


RSM’s new R&D Tax service line provides:

  • R&D Tax Incentives – End-to-end claim support and audit readiness
  • Innovation Strategy – Aligning R&D with business goals
  • Government Grants – Advice on funding opportunities
  • Cross-border Incentives – Coordinating global R&D strategies

“We recognised a growing opportunity to commit to offering a New Zealand based R&D Tax
Incentive service line. As this specialised work continues, we’re able to significantly
enhance our client experience by catering to their specific needs,” said Lisa Murphy,
Managing Partner at RSM New Zealand.

RSM’s multidisciplinary and Global Incentives model brings together corporate tax,
transfer pricing, ESG, digital, and transaction specialists to help clients design R&D
portfolios that not only qualify for incentives but also scale sustainably.