Partners

Mike Bryan BSc (Hons) FCA
Partner
I embarked on my ACA qualification after graduating in Accounting and Finance in 2010. I joined Humphrey & Co when nearing completion of my ACA training contract in 2014 and was fortuitous enough to be invited into the partnership in 2020 (in the midst of the first Covid-19 lockdown!).
Over my years at the firm I have continued building a specialism of accountancy in the healthcare industry, acting for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals across the UK. The specialism is needed here as tax can be more burdensome with high earners plus, given the quirks of the NHS, care and attention to detail are needed.
I do, however, continue to enjoy working with all businesses in all industries. I am keen to embrace AI and technological advances, implementing these at the earliest opportunity, where relevant.
I regularly assist with mergers and acquisitions, I find this work intriguing, meticulous and extremely self-rewarding. I lecture and present seminars on accountancy and taxation to healthcare professionals, particularly focusing on selling their business.
Outside of work, most of my attention goes to my young boy, Otto. I am also a keen supporter of Brighton and Hove Albion and occasionally hack around a golf course.
- 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

Anthony Smith MA MEng FCA
Senior Partner
My route into accountancy wasn't the obvious one. I read engineering at Cambridge, and after graduating in 1996 I spent a year in civil engineering design. I joined Humphrey & Co in the spring of 1997, qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2000, then spent two years in a finance role in the aerospace industry. The pull of the firm (and Sussex) brought me back, and I became a partner in 2006.
I'm based in Eastbourne, where I combine my internal responsibilities across various departments of the firm with a deliberately varied client base of my own — from individuals and first-week start-ups through to international corporates — most of them spread across East and West Sussex. Outside work you'll usually find me sailing or kayaking, or being dragged across the South Downs by a very enthusiastic Dalmatian.
- What do you like most about your job? Meeting lots of amazing people!
- What's your best quality? Never giving up
- Secret skill? Hanging pictures :)
- Favourite film? Bourne trilogy (yes, I know that's 3!)
- Perfect day? On a beach in Bora Bora
- XERO
Managers

Elizabeth Bowden BSc FCCA
Senior Manager
I joined Humphrey & Co in 2012 having qualified with the ACCA in 2009. I work with a variety of clients providing general accounting and tax advice.
- What do you like most about your job? Solving puzzles
- What’s your best quality? I'm forgiving!
- Gadget you couldn’t live without? iPhone
- What essential item would you take to a desert island? Shampoo
- Perfect Day? Sunny day with fish & chips on Bexhill beach.
- XERO
Our People

Sam Cuttell MICB
Xero Consultant
I qualified as an AICB bookkeeper with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) in 2015. I then ran my own bookkeeping practice for 3 years prior to joining Humphrey and Co, where I now work as part of the Xero team.
- What do you like most about your job? Interaction with people (colleagues and clients)
- What’s your best quality? Analytical and patient
- If you could be an animal what would you be? Eagle – I would love to soar high above the clouds
- XERO

Karen Read MICB MAAT
Accounting Technician
I joined the firm in November 2021 as part of the Xero team, after being a self employed bookkeeper for 14 years. I enjoy being part of the team and hope to progress my career here.
I have two teenage daughters who keep me busy and in my spare time I enjoy weightlifting, pole fitness, gymnastics and callisthenics. When I’m not so active you can usually find me socialising with friends.
- What do you like most about your job? Being part of a team and learning new skills
- What’s your best quality? Determination and resilience
- If you could be an animal what would you be? A monkey so I can swing about and have fun.
- XERO



