Damian J. Smyth – Global CEODamian Smyth

  1. Damian Smyth has been the Chief Executive Officer of Swanson Reed since July 1, 2013.
  2. He began his career in general tax consulting and has been a Director at Swanson Reed since 2008.
  3. He has an interest in future tax planning and evidentiary documentation advice.
  4. He is part of a think-tank lobbying Congress to adapt a UK-style Patent Box.
  5. He has an industrial focus on energy and electricity generation assets.
  6. Damian is a fitness enthusiast and a die-hard Houston Texans supporter.

 

Professional and Academic Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Economics with Honors
  • Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
  • Member of the Tax Institute
  • Tax Preparer and Registered Tax Agent

Our Executive Committee

Swanson Reed is led by a prestigious Principal Board, comprised of eight experienced professionals with extensive expertise in taxation, innovation policy, engineering, and business management. Collectively, the Board brings decades of experience in addressing complex financial and technical issues, ensuring the firm continues to provide trusted and effective guidance to clients worldwide.

Each member of the Board has a proven track record of leadership in their respective fields, including experience in multinational corporations, professional service firms, and regulatory environments. Their diverse backgrounds allow them to provide comprehensive oversight, combining technical precision with practical commercial vision.

The Principal Board plays a central role in defining Swanson Reed’s strategic direction, reinforcing our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, integrity, and innovation. By combining their collective knowledge, the eight Principals ensure the firm remains at the forefront of R&S tax advisory services, both in the United States and internationally.

Above all, the Board members described below remain dedicated to upholding the values established by our founder: making funding and tax incentives accessible, efficient, and beneficial for companies of all sizes.

Members of the Principal Board

  • Damian Smyth – Damian is the Chair of the Principal Board and has been CEO since July 2013. His professional qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics or Commerce with Honors. He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Registered Tax Agent. His background is in general tax consulting, with an industrial focus on energy and electricity generation assets. He is a thought leader for the firm, a regular author of articles on tax issues, and is cited by the media on developments in R&D tax systems.
  • Cherie Jones – Cherie is a Principal at Swanson Reed and serves as General Manager of Operations. She has over 30 years of industry experience and has focused exclusively on R&D tax credit preparation since 2015. She has published several articles on the R&D tax credit and Patent Box initiatives in the Tax Adviser. Prior to working at Swanson Reed, she was an account executive at Johnson Controls.
  • David Greatwich – David is a Principal at Swanson Reed and has worked exclusively in R&D tax credit advisory services since 2012. He has over 30 years of industry experience. David holds a degree in Economics and postgraduate degrees in Business Administration and Banking & Finance.
  • Andy Nguyen – Andy is a Principal at Swanson Reed and has worked exclusively in R&D tax credit preparation since 2011. He holds a degree in Economics, Accounting, and Finance and is a Chartered Accountant. He is the co-author of several peer-reviewed articles alongside Damian Smyth on the R&D tax credit and its implementation.
  • Adam Rogers – Adam is a Principal at Swanson Reed. He has worked exclusively in the R&D tax credit sector since 2005 and is widely published in peer-reviewed journals in six countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. As a mechanical engineer and tax agent, he is the director of technical compliance and assists in audits across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Patricia Harlow – Patricia is a Principal at Swanson Reed. She has worked with Swanson Reed in the R&D tax credit sector since 2014 and has over 30 years of business management experience in three countries. She sits on Swanson Reed’s global board and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Swanson Reed in the UK and Swanson Reed in the US.
  • Lyle Norris – Lyle is a Principal at Swanson Reed in the US and the only surviving son of Joe W. Norris. He has a background in dentistry with a special focus on dental metallurgy, anesthesiology, and surgical processes. He is the co-author of many peer-reviewed technical articles and is familiar with the university grant process, having previously served as a contract academic. He has held past board positions and chaired major anesthesiology committees and currently advises the Swanson Reed team on medical and biotechnological R&D tax credits.
  • Tom Parkhouse – Tom is a Principal at Swanson Reed. He is a chemical engineer who has worked in the R&D tax credit advisory sector for over 20 years, focusing specifically on R&D tax credit claims in the mining industry. Before joining Swanson Reed, Tom worked in the R&D tax division of Ernst and Young. Tom advises the Swanson Reed team on Mining and Oil & Gas R&D tax credits.