Partners

Mike Bryan

Mike Bryan BSc (Hons) ACA

Partner

I joined Humphrey & Co in 2014 after graduating in Accounting and Finance in 2010 and completing a 3 year training contract elsewhere. I assist businesses with a holistic approach to accountancy and taxation.

I enjoy the variety of my work and I have a portfolio containing a vast range of industries, from start-ups to long established companies. I have worked within the healthcare sector throughout my career and I have expert knowledge and experience in this industry. Although I am a general accountant, I act for a plethora of doctors, dentists, care home owners and other healthcare businesses.

I regularly assist with the buying or selling of businesses. I find this work intriguing, meticulous and extremely self-rewarding. I also enjoy implementing cloud based accounting software to streamline accounting functions and offer cost efficiencies in this area.

I lecture and present seminars on accountancy and taxation to healthcare professionals and I have provided healthcare updates to some of the leading UK banks.

  • What do you like most about your job? Learning about different businesses, speaking to a diverse range of people.
  • What’s your best quality? Good communicator
  • Secret skill? Ambidextrous at darts
  • Last meal on earth? Steak & Chips
  • What essential item would you take to a desert island? iPhone & Sonos
  • XERO
Greg Penfold

Greg Penfold BA (Hons) FCCA

Partner

I graduated from London in 2000 with an honours degree in Accounting and Business Finance. I joined Humphrey & Co in the same year. I qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 2003 and obtained the status of Fellow in 2008. I am located in the Eastbourne office. My focus is on individual taxation and I specialise in acting for healthcare professionals, particularly dentists. I have a broad range of experience assisting clients to start their business, obtain finance for growth, tender for contracts and the purchase and sale of businesses throughout the UK. I regularly lecture on taxation around the country.

  • What do you like most about your job? Being able to provide useful advice to people and their businesses when they most need it. It gives me great satisfaction. The people who help me do this aren't too bad either!
  • What's your best quality? Friendly and approachable
  • Gadget you couldn't live without? iPad (mainly to keep my children amused!)
  • Favourite film? Ghostbusters
  • Perfect day? Fishing (and hopefully catching)
    Ian Simpson

    Ian Simpson BSc (Hons) FCA

    Partner

    I joined Humphrey & Co in August 1999, after graduating from the University of Wales in Swansea. I completed my professional studies with Humphrey & Co and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in July 2002. I am based in the Hove office and assist small and medium sized businesses with their accountancy and taxation affairs. I am part of the specialist Dental Team and have interests in the construction industry and personal taxation areas. I prepare the annual dental statistics report on behalf of NASDAL each year

    • What do you like most about your job? Acting for such a diverse mix of clients and being able to help people
    • What's your best quality? My memory (although my wife may disagree)
    • Gadget you couldn't live without? Sat Nav
    • What essential item would you take to a desert island? Flip flops
    • Perfect day? England v Wales in the Six Nations
      Karen Wicks

      Karen Wicks LLB FCA

      Partner

      I joined Humphrey & Co in 2007 having completed a Law degree at the University of Leeds where I focused on both company and business law. I went on to become a qualified Chartered Accountant in 2010 and became a partner 2015. I am based at the Eastbourne office with clients spread across the UK and assist them in a number of areas including financial accounting, business advice and personal taxation services. I have a particular interest in dental businesses and the medical sector in general. In my spare time, I like to keep active and particularly enjoy snowboarding and sea kayaking.

      • What do you like most about your job? Working with people
      • What's your best quality? I get things done!
      • Gadget you couldn't live without? My Nespresso machine
      • Favourite film? Disney's 'Cinderella' (watched with my daughter Isabelle)
      • What essential item would you take to a desert island? My Nespresso machine!

        Associates

        Sebastian Stracey

        Sebastian Stracey ACA CTA

        Associate

        I completed my A levels at Christ's Hospital school in Horsham in 2011, before joining a large regional firm in the same year. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2015 and joined Humphrey & Co in 2016. I qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser in 2018, so I can better assist clients with their tax needs. I work with a wide range of clients, mostly providing accounting and taxation advice. I am also part of the Dental team. In my spare time I enjoy hacking my way round a golf course!

        • What's your best quality? Humorous
        • Gadget you couldn't live without? iPhone and my bookmark
        • Favourite film? Lord of the Rings
        • What essential item would you take to a desert island? A volleyball called 'Wilson'
        • If you could be an animal what would you be? A puffin

          Managers

          Leah Crellin

          Leah Crellin MAAT ACA

          Senior Manager

          I joined Humphrey & Co in October 2018 having previously worked as a Client Manager at a small firm in Uckfield. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2015. I am part of the Dental team in Eastbourne working for Partner, Karen Wicks specialising in dental accounts and tax affairs.

          Outside of work, I am running around after my gorgeous baby boy, Freddie. When I’m not picking toys up off the floor I enjoy spending time with family and friends and going to the cinema.

          • What do you like most about your job? There is always something new to learn
          • What’s your best quality? I’m patient
          • Secret skill? I make jewellery
          • Last meal on earth? Christmas dinner – with all the trimmings!
          • If you could be an animal what would you be? A panda – I wear too much black and white!
            Kristian Fuller

            Kristian Fuller FMAAT FCCA

            Senior Manager

            I joined Humphrey & Co in September 2013 after training in the Sussex area. In 2005, I qualified as an accounting technician (AAT) and went on to become a chartered certified accountant. I am located in the Hove Office and work closely with Ian Simpson, assisting with accounts and taxation work for his portfolio of clients.

            • What do you like most about your job? Our team and being able to make a difference to our clients
            • Secret skill? Not a skill, but a little known fact. I can use the title Lord Fuller of Lochaber
            • Gadget you couldn't live without? SatNav
            • Perfect day? Watching my team United at Old Trafford
            • If you could be an animal what would you be? A lion
              Gemma Gaines

              Gemma Gaines Mchem (Hons) ACA

              Senior Manager

              I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2015 and have over 10 years’ experience in practice. I joined Humphrey & Co in 2021 looking for a new challenge. I am based in our Hove office and work as a member of Ian Simpson’s team, assisting with accounts and taxation work for his portfolio of clients.

              • What do you like most about your job? Working with others to deliver quality advice and assistance to our clients and helping them to achieve their goals.
              • What’s your best quality? I am a fast learner and a team player.
              • Secret skill? I’m a PADI Rescue Diver
              • Last meal on earth? Oysters
              • If you could be an animal what would you be? A Manta Ray
                Simon Gayton

                Simon Gayton MAAT

                Client Manager

                I joined Humphrey & Co in 2014. I have completed my accounting technician (AAT) qualification and I am currently studying towards my Tax Technician (ATT) qualification. I am part of the Dental and Medical team working for Partner, Karen Wicks. Outside of work I enjoy taking part in a variety of sports including cricket, golf, football and basketball. I regularly take part in a six a side football league with colleagues and a squash league also run by Humphrey & Co.

                • What do you like most about your job? The people I work with
                • Secret skill? Playing cricket
                • Last meal on earth? Steak & Chips
                • Favourite Film? The Other Guys
                • What Essential item would you take to a desert island? A guitar
                  Lyndsey Mantripp

                  Lyndsey Mantripp MAAT FCA

                  Senior Manager

                  I joined Humphrey & Co in 2013, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2009. I am located in the Eastbourne office and I work with a variety of clients providing general accountancy and taxation services to small and medium sized business and personal tax clients. I am also a member of the Dental Team specialising in dental accounts and tax affairs.

                  • What do you like most about your job? Dealing with numerous clients on a wide variety of matters
                  • Secret skill? I make great chocolate brownies
                  • Gadget you couldn't live without? iPhone and my food mixer
                  • Favourite film? Aladdin
                  • If you could be an animal what would you be? An elephant (they never forget)
                    Michelle Stevenson

                    Michelle Stevenson MAAT FCCA

                    Senior Manager

                    I completed my AAT qualification in 2004, achieving my ACCA qualification in 2007 . I joined Humphrey & Co in August 2015 having previously worked with another local accountancy firm and I am based in the Eastbourne office. Working closely with partner, Greg Penfold as part of the Dental and Medical team, I help provide our clients with tax and accountancy advice. I am also a Xero certified advisor and I can assist our clients on using the cloud-based accounting software.

                    • What's your best quality? I'm always happy
                    • Secret skill? Play violin
                    • Gadget you couldn't live without? My electric toothbrush
                    • What essential item would you take to a desert island? Food!
                    • Perfect day? A pamper day
                      Lisa Strudwick

                      Lisa Strudwick FCA

                      Senior Manager

                      I joined Humphrey & Co in 2017 having worked at another local accountancy practice since 2007 and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2010. I am based in the Eastbourne office working alongside Greg Penfold as part of the Dental and Medical team. I provide a variety of general accountancy and taxation services to businesses and personal tax clients. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my friends & family, shopping and going out for dinner.

                      • What do you like most about your job? The friendly atmosphere around the office and the variety of people I get to work with.
                      • What’s your best quality? I’m reliable & organised
                      • Last meal on earth? Homemade Lasagne
                      • Favourite film? Bridesmaids
                      • What essential item would you take to a desert island? Somebody else for company
                        Jodie Wan

                        Jodie Wan ACA CTA

                        Senior Tax Manager

                        I joined Humphrey & Co in 2012 having completed my A levels at Sussex Downs College. I undertook the firm's apprenticeship programme and qualified as an Accounting Technician (AAT) in August 2014. I then went on to take my Tax Technician (ATT) exams and qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ACA) in August 2019. In August 2021 I qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA). I am located in the Hove office and I work for partner Greg Penfold in the Dental and Medical team, assisting with providing accountancy and taxation services and advice to his portfolio of clients.

                        Outside of work, I enjoy socialising with friends, shopping and reading. I am also a big Tennis fan.

                        • What do you like most about your job? The variety of tasks I do
                        • What's your best quality? Friendly & approachable
                        • Secret skill? Trained as a ballet dancer
                        • Gadget you couldn't live without? Too many to choose from
                        • Last meal on earth? My nan's chicken & sweetcorn rice
                          Cathy Wares

                          Cathy Wares BA (Hons) ACA

                          Senior Manager

                          I joined Humphrey & Co in July 2021 as part of the dental team in Eastbourne, working for Partner Karen Wicks. After graduating from Brighton University with a degree in Accounting and Finance, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2016 at a local accountancy firm, before moving into senior finance roles in the construction industry for just under 5 years.
                          Outside of work, I enjoy getting outside as much as possible and spending time with family and friends.

                          • What do you like most about your job? The variety of work – no two days are the same
                          • What’s your best quality? Approachable and helpful
                          • Secret skill? I can juggle!
                          • Gadget you couldn’t live without? Coffee machine
                          • Perfect Day? A day out in the countryside with my husband and young son