Fuel Accountancy Team
“I found them to be forward thinking, professional, highly effective and very approachable and have no hesitation in recommending them.”
Ian Mitchell
Managing Director, Plymouth Homes Estate Agents
Meet the Team
At Fuel Accountancy Services, we believe a strong team will help to deliver the aspirations of our clients.
Rich May - Director
Rich is one of the Directors of Fuel Accountancy Services. He has experience in dealing with a wide range of businesses from multi-million-pound groups to sole traders. He is also experienced in consulting over a vast range of areas from general taxation advice to the buying and selling of businesses.
Rich grew up in Plymouth. His accountancy career started his career over 20 years ago at a large firm of accountants, specialising largely in audit. This involved working with larger businesses and helping ensure they were structured efficiently from an accounting and taxation point of view.
After doing this for a number of years, Rich was approached by a large motor dealer retail group to act as their head of finance. This was a fantastic opportunity to work with blue chip companies and to experience accountancy life out of the confines of a comfortable office. This proved however to be a baptism of a fire as it coincided with the credit crunch of 2008, which hit the motor industry particularly hard. However, whilst it didn’t feel like it at the time, a vast number of important financial skills and lessons were learned during this period.
Once the market settled down somewhat, Rich felt ready to start his own business in 2010 having navigated troubled waters. Since this time, Rich has become established as a member of the business community. Fuel Accountancy Services Ltd is a new venture looking to further build on the success of previous endeavours.
Rich’s main interests outside of work are cooking, drawing, reading, and collecting whisky.
Simon Richards - Director
Simon has been in the accounting industry for well over a decade now and has a wealth of experience in dealing with small to medium-sized businesses. Simon also grew up in Plymouth where he attended Plymstock School. He then started work at a large local accountancy practice where he quickly gained valuable skills. He soon realised that this was the career for him.
He then went on to work with Rich at a large motor dealer retail group. This was a major step up in responsibility, being in charge of the payroll for over a hundred employees. In addition to this, Simon was also part of the project management team, relating to the installation and implementation of a six-figure accounting and management system at the group.
Following this, Simon decided to return to accountancy practice. This was where his heart seemed to be leading him. He has now been back in practice for a number of years and has built on the solid foundations he has experienced thus far.
Simon carries joint responsibility for the running of the business. His greatest contribution in this regard undoubtedly comes from the energy and enthusiasm he brings to those clients with a desire to drive their businesses forward. To this end, he is a proud advocate of cloud-based accountancy technology and loves helping his clients establish new systems that save them time and money.
Simon is not all “accounts”. His main interests outside of work include socialising, enjoying the sun, and travelling.
Jess Dean - Client Manager
Notwithstanding Rich and Simon, Jess is the longest standing member of the Team.
She joined Fuel in 2015, after completing a Degree in Accounting and Finance.
Jess is a Client Manager, and over the years it has been great to see her develop longstanding relationships with clients, and peers. Clients think and speak highly of her.
She is responsible for assisting clients with annual accounts, tax returns, VAT/MTD, payroll and pretty much any other financial issues that arise. As a manager, she is also responsible for coordinating, and developing more junior members of the Team.
In addition to this, Jess has continued to accumulate credentials. She is AAT accredited (Association of Accounting Technicians), and also in 2025 completed her ATT Qualification (Association of Taxation Technicians).
It is probably fair to say that out of work Jess’s main (and stressful) pastime is supporting and following Plymouth Argyle. Her other interests include enjoying live music events and being out in the sun. She just needs to make sure she puts on plenty of sun cream!
Aaron Johnson - Client Manager in Training
Aaron is currently, the most recent addition to the team – having joined us in the latter stages of 2025.
As a Client Manager “in-training”, Aaron’s role is wide-ranging.
He is responsible for assisting clients with the preparation of annual accounts, alongside quarterly VAT and MTD Returns. He also supports clients with day-to-day queries relating to payroll, bookkeeping and all manner of things financial.
Aaron works closely with colleagues to make sure deadlines are always met, and that clients receive meaningful, robust, and timely advice. In addition to this, he has a mentoring and development responsibility with the more junior members of the team.
Clients definitely seem to appreciate Aaron’s approachable manner; finding him calm and reassuring.
Outside of work, Aaron is a keen football fan. He enjoys following the game whenever he is able. He is a young father of 2 young boys, and hence the word “able” is highly applicable!
Simone Friend - Office Manager
Simone joined Fuel in 2023 as an Administrator and had previously worked in the hospitality and retail sectors. This position is particularly varied, which is something that Simone enjoys. She is used to multi-tasking as she is a mother of two. Simone is enthusiastic and happy to assist with a smile.
Outside of work Simone enjoys spending time with her family, walking her bouncy dog Rodney, and holidaying both abroad and in the UK. She is also very much “into” comedy and enjoys going to shows around the UK with her husband. Simone works around school hours to be available for her children and their many clubs.
Jake Parker - Accounts Assistant
Jake joined us in 2020, after completing a 2 year IT course at College.
He decided that IT wasn’t for him, and therefore looked to start an Apprenticeship at Fuel, as an Accounts Assistant.
Jake has been with the Firm for some time now and is an integral part of the team. During his tenure it has been fantastic to see him develop his Accountancy skills, and mature as a person.
He is now AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualified and assists clients with all manner of accounting and financially related tasks. Our clients find Jake easy-going, knowledgeable, and approachable.
Outside of work, he spends a lot of his spare time playing video games. It is fair to say that Jake is a bit of a “Gamer”. However, he doesn’t like being indoors all the time, and enjoys “days-out” with his friends and family.
Ryan Carr - Accounts Assistant
After completing his A Levels, Ryan decided that University was not really for him.
Instead, he chose to begin a career in Accountancy.
To this end, he joined the Firm in 2023, and has since become a valued member of the team.
Ryan is currently at the “tail-end” of gaining his AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification. He is consistently building and evolving his technical knowledge, alongside mastering his more practical day-to-day responsibilities.
Outside of work, Ryan is a big football fan and enjoys both following and playing the game. His team is Manchester United.
When Ryan is not following football, he likes going to concerts and travelling – exploring destinations both in the UK and farther afield.
Sophia Kirtley - Accounts Assistant
After completing her GCSE’s, Sophia decided to jump right into her dream career of accountancy. On the back of this she joined Fuel in the summer of 2023. During her school years, she always had a fascination for math and business, and knew she wanted a career that combines both of these subjects. Accountancy therefore seemed the perfect choice. Sophia is currently working towards her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification.
Sophia loves water sports. She loves the sea, and whenever she can spends her time swimming, surfing, or paddle boarding, no matter the weather. She is also enthusiastic about the theatre and is a member of an amateur dramatics club.
Izzy Rooney - Administrator
Izzy joined us in 2024 – straight from school – and quickly made a positive impression.
Currently, she is nearing completion of her Business Administration Apprenticeship.
Since joining the team, she has shown real commitment and enthusiasm, as she develops her skills, and gains experience working in a professional environment.
As the youngest member of the team, Izzy brings a “youthful” perspective to the Firm. In spite of this fact, she is also reliable and responsible – very important traits.
She assists the team as-a-whole, with a range of administrative tasks, making sure things remain organised and also “run smoothly” behind the scenes.
Izzy is known for her kind and approachable nature. Nothing is ever too much trouble; whether she is assisting colleagues, or liaising with clients.
Outside of work, she enjoys Digital Art, and baking. Izzy is very creative – particularly if there are Chocolate Brownies at the end of it!