Meet the Streets Innovation Team
Streets Innovation is a close-knit team of tax professionals, industry experts, and innovation champions. Over the years, we’ve built our reputation by delivering precise, compliant, and genuinely valuable support for businesses looking to develop, fund, and protect new ideas.
Head of Streets Innovation
Who and Why?
Meet The R&D Team
Head of Streets Innovation
Daniel Jones
As a Tax Partner and specialist in the R&D Tax Credits field, Daniel has an extensive track record of successfully helping companies claim their share of generous innovation tax reliefs.
Daniel has collaborated with an impressive spectrum of clients, ranging from FTSE100 and 250 companies to startup businesses. During his time working in R&D Tax, he has been instrumental in unlocking close to £100 million in tax benefits for a range of businesses across the UK.
This expertise is significantly complemented by Daniel’s engineering and project management experience gained during his time serving in the Royal Engineers, where he was actively involved in the development and trialling of cutting-edge military equipment and spearheading construction infrastructure projects across the globe.
Since transitioning from the military, Daniel has used this unique blend of engineering and tax knowledge to assist a diverse range of UK firms, from small run hyper-car prototyping to multi-national engineering giants, making him an invaluable partner for businesses navigating the intricacies of R&D tax credits.
Senior Tax Manager
James Allen
From a young age, James had it instilled in him that there are three certainties in life: birth, death, and taxes.
After graduating with First Class Honours in Accounting and Finance from university, a chance reconnection with an alumnus introduced whom him to the world of Research and Development and the rest, as they say, is history. James began his career at an R&D tax specialist firm in Northampton, where he developed a strong foundation and a set of highly transferable skills. From early on, he was involved in both SME and RDEC claims across a range of sectors. He quickly discovered a passion for compliance, what he refers to as “having an argument with someone” and has been a specialism within the field ever since.
With over five years of experience in the R&D sector, James is currently pursuing his CTA qualification, having already passed all his ATT written exams. Throughout his career, he has worked with a diverse client base, from nuclear technology to cooling systems at CERN’s Hadron Collider, as well as with multinational FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies. Outside of work, James can often be found at the ice rink in Nottingham or Milton Keynes, cheering on his favourite ice hockey teams and offering referees a few choice words. He also enjoys quality time with his family, sipping piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
Find out more about James
Tax Manager
Jordan Wood
Having started his career as a school leaver in an Accounts Assistant role through an apprenticeship while attaining his AAT qualifications, Jordan has spent the past nine years specialising in Corporate Tax.
During this time, he achieved his ATT qualifications and focused specifically on Incentives & Reliefs, particularly Innovation & Creative Reliefs. With over nine years of experience as a tax-trained professional.
Jordan specialises in helping companies from start-ups to well-established household names access vital Innovation Tax Reliefs, including R&D Tax Credits and Patent Box.
Find out more about Jordan
Tax Assistant Manager
Callum Axon
Callum has a background in engineering, originally obtaining a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Liverpool John Moores University specialising in materials, thermodynamics and renewable energy.
As a graduate, he worked as a Nuclear R&D Engineer at EDF developing finite element analysis software and complex thermodynamic simulations for monitoring and predicting reactor core graphite brick integrity.
Following this experience, Callum made a shift to tax with a natural transition to R&D and creative tax reliefs as specialisms. With over four years’ experience, Callum prepares both financial and technical aspects of R&D and creative tax relief claims in addition to providing tax advice to clients from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. Callum is also an avid powerlifter with an interest in track and field, engaging is powerlifting meets and track and field events with his local club Nuneaton Harriers.
Find out more about Callum
R&D Associate
Naeem Ahmed
I joined the world of R&D tax in mid 2024 and have since enjoyed working with a wide mix of innovative businesses across fields like software, engineering, biomedical science, and beyond.
My role combines technical understanding, financial insight, and clear communication; helping companies make the most of the relief available for the work they’re doing to push boundaries.
Before stepping into R&D tax, my background included a degree in Mathematical Economics & Statistics from the University of Birmingham, along with experience in tutoring, delivering communication training through debating UK wide and internationally, hospitality, and tech sales — all of which helped shape how I work with people as well as how I pick up new ideas and concepts effectively.
Outside of work, I’m a big sports fan and used to play football regularly (until my ACL had other plans). I also enjoy travelling, weight lifting, gaming, trying out different cuisines, and spending quality time with family and close friends.
Find out more about Naeem
Tax Associate
Freya Riches
Freya has previous experience as a senior veterinary nurse and research analyst for a market research company.
She holds a bachelor’s & master’s degree from Oxford Brookes University. She has worked in both Australia & the U.K. and has recently joined Streets Chartered Accountants as an R&D Tax Associate.
Outside of work Freya loves travelling and has visited 30 countries so far with plans to add to this. She visits Australia yearly to visit family and in her spare time can be found hiking all over the U.K.
Find out more about Freya
Associate Director - Grants
Dr Rehman Rafiq
Dr. Rehman Rafiq is an accomplished Grant Funding Manager with a PhD in Materials Science and over 13 years of experience in securing and managing major public funding.
He has successfully led the acquisition of over €55 million in grants from programmes such as EIC Accelerator, Horizon Europe, DTIF, Innovate UK, and the European Research Council. With deep expertise in proposal strategy, bid writing, and project delivery, Dr. Rafiq works closely with startups, SMEs, and research organisations across Med-Tech, Nanotechnologies, AI, ML, Recycling, Energy, Construction and Green Innovation sectors to turn ideas into funded realities.
Find out more about dr Rehman
What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?
Troy – I have probably watched it more times than I’d like to admit.
If you could hop on a plane right now, where’s the first place you’d go?
Madina, Saudi Arabia
What’s your signature dish when you’re cooking at home?
I am not allowed near the cooker – let’s just say that my speciality lies in takeaway ordering!
What’s your signature dish when you’re cooking at home?
I am not allowed near the cooker – let’s just say that my speciality lies in takeaway ordering!
What’s something on your bucket list that you’re determined to check off?
A full-blown road trip across Europe in a reliable car – no pre-plans
What is your go-to meal deal?
Being gluten intolerant, I would anything which tastes half decent.
What is your favourite resturant and whats your go-to dish there?
Royal Nawab in London – amazing gluten-free options, especially their lamb dishes.
What is your unpopular opinion?
Cricket is Hope
What did you want to grow up doing?
A professional cricketer – I was convinced I would be the next Waqar Younis bowling at 80mph and toe crushing yorkers at will.
What’s the best excuse you’ve heard (or used) for being late to a a Zoom/Teams call?
Not sure what happened. The link you sent was not a live link (although 4 others were there already using the same link)
Grants Project Coordinator
Sophie Wilmot - Allen
Sophie started her career at 18, in a R&D firm with no experience in anything to do with finance, let alone tax!
Sophie quickly found her feet learning the ropes and climbing through the ranks. After three years, Sophie decided it was time for a change, taking some time for herself and to travel. After doing a job outside of the finance, Sophie realised she missed it. Joining the grants team here at Streets, while still different from what she has previously done, Sophie feels much more at home with the team.
Outside of work, Sophie loves staying active whether she’s hitting the gym or getting a workout in at Reformer Pilates. While she prefers watching sports over playing them, you’ll often find her cheering from the stands at a Nottingham Panthers ice hockey game. Above all else, Sophie values time with her friends and family, and that’s where she’s happiest.
Find out more about Sophie
