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
Jess has been with us since 2015 – not wanting to make her sound like she is getting old! Jess joined us upon finishing her Accounting and Finance degree, and then completed her AAT studies. Jess is currently working towards her ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) qualification, which she aims to complete by summer 2024.
As a Client Manager, Jess’s job is very varied. It ranges from preparing VAT returns and year-end accounts, to advising clients on their financial systems and procedures. Jess also has responsibility for supervising and developing less senior members of the team. Jess also liaises with Ryan Coutts to make sure all client deadlines are hit and the work is completed in a timely and accurate fashion.
Clients like dealing with Jess as she is bright, friendly, helpful and understands that accountancy and tax are specialist subjects, and are not everyone’s bag!
Jess is up to date with the latest trends in the area of IT and social media. This understanding is important as many businesses these days operate in a different way than they did in the past. As things evolve – accountancy firms also have to, many don’t.
Jess’s main (and stressful!) hobby is supporting Plymouth Argyle home and away. Her other interests include watching live music and being out in the sun.
Ryan Coutts - Accounts Senior
Ryan joined the team in 2017, as a fresh-faced teenager. This was after completing his A Levels and deciding that going to university wasn’t the path he wanted to take in his career. He is now not so fresh-faced and is an Accounts Senior – training towards becoming a Client Manager.
Ryan completed his AAT studies and has moved onto working towards his Chartered Accountant status with the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) and fingers crossed, is due to be fully qualified in April 2024.
In his spare time, Ryan is a big football fan, and enjoys playing and watching football as much as possible. He is also very much into the gym and keeping fit. The only downside of having Ryan on board is that he likes to tell (really) bad jokes!
Jake Parker - Accounts Assistant
After completing a 2-year college course in IT, Jake decided to pursue a different career path and took an apprenticeship position at Fuel in the latter part of 2020. Jake is an Accounts Assistant. Jake is currently working towards his AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification.
He spends a lot of his spare time at home playing video games – he is a bit of a gamer it is fair to say. However, when he gets bored of being cooped up inside, Jake also likes to go on days out with his family, to meet up with friends and going to the gym – albeit occasionally! Jake also has an interest in baking and has been known to make a particularly good Victoria sponge.
Ryan Carr - Accounts Assistant
In a similar fashion to Ryan Coutts, once he had completed his A Levels, Ryan Carr did not want to continue schooling. Due to this fact, we now have 2 Ryan’s! Ryan is currently working towards his AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification.
Notwithstanding, sharing the same name, Ryan is also a big football fan, and enjoys watching and playing football. Ryan supports Manchester United and also enjoys going to concerts and travelling – both in the UK and abroad.
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.
Kim Tremaine - Administrator
Kim’s main role within the business is as Payroll Administrator/Receptionist. However, in addition to the above she wears many other hats, including managing the Companies House Confirmation Statement process and acting as a voice of reason when stress levels are up!
Kim is wise, conscientious, and possessed of high morals. Her previous work experience includes several years of administration and payroll experience, working with accountants. She also worked for a local charity performing similar duties.
Outside of work Kim enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying weekends away and of course holidays abroad!
Simone Friend - Administrator
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.