Team - Ian Cokayne

Ian Cokayne

Ian Cokayne

Chief Legal and Risk Officer

Ian is a senior legal and risk professional with more than 15 years’ experience advising professional services firms on complex regulatory, legal and operational matters. As a qualified lawyer, he has led high-value disputes, regulatory investigations and major acquisitions, including post-deal integration across governance, people and systems.

His experience spans the full risk spectrum, with leadership roles covering Ethics, Financial Crime, Client Take-On, Risk and Resilience, Legal, Regulation and Internal Audit. He has a strong track record of building robust, commercially aware risk frameworks that support growth, protect brand reputation and reinforce audit quality.

Before joining Gravita, Ian was a Partner and General Counsel at a Big 6 firm, where he also led the firm’s quality and risk teams. His background gives him a deep understanding of the regulatory environment in which accountancy firms operate, from client acceptance to oversight, compliance and professional standards.

Across his work, Ian brings clarity, judgement and a pragmatic view of risk, helping leadership teams maintain trust, support audit quality and navigate an increasingly demanding regulatory landscape.

Services

Leadership team

Locations

Working in the UK for an overseas employer? Do you need a DPNI scheme?

6th November 2026
Written by: Rebecca Aimey
If you work in the UK but your employer is based overseas, you might be responsible for handling your own tax and National Insurance. This is where a Direct Payment National Insurance (DPNI) scheme comes...
link to Find Out More
UK technology

The Budget has set the direction for UK tech, now delivery must follow

5th November 2026
Written by: Tanveer Mahtab-Ahmed
The Autumn Budget has sent a clear signal about the role technology is expected to play in the UK’s future growth. Artificial intelligence, cyber security, sovereign capability, data infrastructure and regional innovation all feature prominently,...
link to Find Out More
Trade union reform Is your business ready
HR

Trade union reform: Is your business ready?

3rd November 2026
Written by: Kirsty Henderson
Never had to deal with a trade union before? That doesn’t mean your business won’t need to think about one now. With new trade union laws taking effect from 30th October 2026, employers have new...
link to Find Out More
UK GAAP changes

UK GAAP changes: What your business needs to know

2nd November 2026
Written by: Jen Sewell
The revised UK GAAP requirements apply to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Here’s what businesses need to know and how to prepare. Changes to UK accounting standards are bringing aspects of...
link to Find Out More

How R&D tax credits can unexpectedly bring businesses into QIPs

2nd November 2026
Written by: Clare Boden
For young businesses investing in research and development, R&D tax credits can provide valuable support for growth. What may come as a surprise is that the R&D expenditure credit can also trigger quarterly instalment payments...
link to Find Out More

Budget 2026: Personal tax

29th October 2026
 
Personal allowances and thresholds These remain frozen, as expected and as announced in the previous Chancellor’s Budget. However, there have been a few adjustments around the edges designed to benefit small, unincorporated business owners and...
link to Find Out More

Budget 2026: Inheritance Tax

29th October 2026
 
Nil rate bands, and Inheritance Tax rates No major changes have been announced in relation to IHT, meaning that the Nil Rate Band (NRB) and Residential Nil Rate Band continue to remain frozen, despite inflation...
link to Find Out More

Budget 2026: Stamp Duty Land Tax and Stamp Duty

29th October 2026
 
The SDLT rates and thresholds remain unchanged. The following changes have been confirmed or announced:   From 1st May 2026, no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will be charged on the rent element of assured...
link to Find Out More

More Gravita Team Members