Our People

Paul joined Thompson Jenner in 1998, qualifying with the firm, before taking on a number of senior management roles firstly in audit, specialising in FCA and specialist assignments, before moving on to corporate and personal taxation. He specialises in owner-managed businesses, as well as incorporated and unincorporated businesses, advising on all aspects of accountancy, taxation, management accounting and business start-ups. He has particular specialisms in tax planning and the Medical sector, in particular, Dental practices. He became a Partner in 2013 and spends his time between our Exeter and Exmouth offices.

A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a graduate in Applied Maths and Computing Science, Neil qualified in 1980 with a leading international firm. He joined Thompson Jenner in 1983 and became a Partner with the firm later that year and Managing Partner in 2011. He is responsible for advising corporate businesses as well as larger partnerships, and regularly undertakes the role of Business Adviser to clients to assist in the growth and development of the business. Neil works from our Exeter office.

Paul joined our audit team in 2006 after qualifying with a London firm in 2003. On qualification, he worked for a specialist forensic accountancy firm in London before moving with his family to Exmouth. Paul manages a client portfolio of small incorporated and unincorporated businesses as well as individuals offering clients a wide range of accountancy and taxation advice, with a particular specialism in Research & Development Tax credits. A graduate of Economics and Politics, Paul has worked in Japan and Australia and as a Government Economist before starting his training as a Chartered Accountant. Paul became a Partner in 2018 and is based in our Exmouth office.

Simon Lewis qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Thompson Jenner in 2003 after graduating with a first class honours in Accounting and Finance from Oxford Brookes University.  During his qualifying exams, Simon achieved awards in the South West for coming first in the Business Finance exam and the final admitting case study exam, as well as coming third in the UK in the Business Finance exam. Simon specialises in advising on business start-ups and growing businesses, working closely with clients to monitor their performance. Specific areas covered include taxation (both personal and corporate), property transactions, acquisitions and disposals, succession planning and corporate finance. He also acts for charities, advising on specific areas such as strategic financial planning, governance, audit services and compliance. Simon has been involved in providing financial and commercial advice regarding procurement projects, both for clients tendering for such contracts and as part of the procurement panel for those entering into the contract. Simon is based in our Exmouth office.

Dave joined Thompson Jenner in 1997 as a trainee Accounting Technician and then progressed onto his Chartered Certified Exams. He qualified in 2002 and was appointed as Senior Audit Manager specialising in audits for SME's, large companies and charitable organisations. Dave was appointed as Head of Audit in 2011, managing clients across the firm along with leading the firm’s specialist Education team responsible for Academy schools and educational trusts. Dave became a Partner in 2013 and has overall responsibility for our Audit teams. He is based in our Exeter office.

Jon trained in the Corporate Services department of a top 10 national firm and qualified in 1996, before joining Thompson Jenner in 1999. In addition to the main areas of corporate accounts, audit and tax, Jon has also worked on several corporate finance assignments and outsourcing projects. He works with businesses of all sizes and specialises in assisting with R & D tax relief advice, setting up reliable accounting and management systems, accessing routes to funding and providing a range of audit, accounting, business and personal tax planning services. He has particular experience in advising Retail Opticians and individual Optometrists who work in the industry on matters of VAT, accounting, business and personal tax planning. Jon is also active  in the technology sector where he has helped many young businesses grow and achieve their objectives. This includes helping his clients to maximise the value from their business. He became a partner in 2008 and works at our Exeter office.

A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Physics graduate, Ruskin has a wide range of experience specialising in accounting, audit and taxation work for the smaller owner-managed businesses. He is always keen to adopt a ‘hands-on’ approach with his clients to promote profitability through regular advice, monitoring and support. Ruskin is evidence of the firm’s commitment to training, having qualified with Thompson Jenner in 1989. Following a six month spell in Australia, he returned to manage the Corporate Services department in Exeter, before becoming a partner in 2000. With one of the best office views in the South West overlooking the sea, it is only natural that Ruskin has developed a diverse portfolio linked to the marine sector.

Marcus joined Thompson Jenner in 2012 having graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Birmingham. Marcus worked as a senior within the firm’s audit team before progressing to Corporate Services Manager to manage a varied client portfolio of individuals, unincorporated businesses, trusts and limited companies, advising them on a range of accountancy and taxation matters. Marcus qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2017 and then went on to complete his Chartered Institute of Taxation exams in 2018 to become a Chartered Tax Advisor. He became a Partner in April 2020 and is based in our Exeter office.

Alastair joined Thompson Jenner in 2015 having graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Chemistry from the University of Keele. Alastair worked within the business & corporate services teams in Exeter while training to become a Charted accountant and by the time he qualified in 2018 had gained a range of experience working on all areas of accounts preparation, corporation tax and audit. Alastair has worked mainly on medium and small companies as well as unincorporated businesses. He now manages a client portfolio of incorporated and unincorporated businesses. Alastair is based in our Exmouth office.

James joined Thompson Jenner in 2017, qualifying with the firm as a Chartered accountant in 2021. Prior to working in accountancy James worked in Commercial Banking for 10 years across Devon and Cornwall. Based in the Exmouth office James assists in managing a client portfolio or incorporated and unincorporated businesses offering support and advice on a wide range of accounting and taxation matters.

Kim joined the Business Services team of Thompson Jenner in 2012 having qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant at a Devon firm of accountants in 2010. She has experience in dealing with a diverse range of family businesses and advises them on all aspects of accountancy. Prior to starting her career in accountancy, Kim graduated with a Mathematics degree from Southampton University. She was appointed as a Manager in 2016. Kim is based in our Exeter office.

With over 19 years experience in delivering compliant payroll services, Sam heads up Thompson Jenner's specialist payroll department serving clients of various sizes and across a range of industry sectors. Before joining the firm, Sam was Payroll Manager for a nationwide recruitment agency where she also gained significant HR experience. Sam is based in our Exmouth office.

Geoff qualified with a medium sized firm of Chartered Accountants in London in 1989.  He became a member of The Chartered Institute of Taxation in 1991.  After spending six years working in London and then working for a large independent firm in the North West, he has worked for Thompson Jenner as Head of Taxation for sixteen years, having joined the firm in 1999. He specialises in all areas of personal and corporate taxation. Geoff is based in our Exeter and Exmouth offices.

Allan is a highly experienced Auditor and works with many of our key SME clients and Not-for-Profit organisations. He has specialist audit expertise in the Education sector working with our Academy and Educational clients. After graduating from university, Allan trained as a Chartered Accountant and qualified in 2010. Allan excels in creating great working relationships with our clients, providing technical assistance and practical solutions in creating robust and efficient internal controls. Allan works out of both the Exeter and Exmouth office.

Stephen joined Thompson Jenner in 2011 having most recently worked in the financial services industry for an FTSE100 company. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2008 with KPMG while specialising in audits. Stephen, who also has a BA (Hons) Business Studies degree, manages a client portfolio of both incorporated and unincorporated businesses, offering clients a wide range of accountancy and taxation advice. Stephen is based in our Exmouth office.

After qualifying with a firm in Bristol in 2004, David joined our firm as Audit Senior in 2005 before becoming a Corporate Services Manager in 2009. He manages a range of unincorporated and incorporated clients providing advice on various accounting and taxation matters. David enjoys working closely with his clients and as such has built many strong relationships. David is based in our Exmouth office.

Carla joined Thompson Jenner as an audit trainee in 1995, qualified in 2001 and became a Corporate Services Manager in 2004. She is responsible for audit and accounts clients ranging from sole traders to medium-sized entities. Carla is based at our Exeter office and works with clients across the firm.

After completing his degree in Economics, Neil returned to Exmouth where he grew up and started his career in financial services in 1989.  He has gained considerable experience and expertise as an adviser, compliance officer and trainer and built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all aspects of financial planning. When Thompson Jenner decided that they would set up a separate Financial Services company in 2002 to provide advice to their clients, they asked Neil to head up the new company.  Thompson Jenner Financial Services was born and this has enabled clients to have access to financial planning advice covering pensions, investments, mortgages and life assurances, in addition to the excellent accountancy services already  provided.  Neil is a Director of Thompson Jenner Financial Services Ltd and is based in our Exeter office, but regularly works out of the Exmouth office. In his spare time (lockdowns permitting)  he enjoys playing golf and watching The Chiefs including travelling to numerous away games during their rise to becoming double Champions of England and Europe in 2020.

Stephen joined Thompson Jenner Financial Services in 2021, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Stephen started working in financial services in 2000 working in technical roles before becoming an adviser in 2010. Prior to joining the team, he worked for a large national advice firm providing advice to private and corporate clients in both the Public and Private Sectors, specialising in investment and retirement planning. Stephen is a qualified member of the Personal Finance Society, holding the Chartered Insurance Institute Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning, and is also actively studying towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. Outside of work, Stephen is married with three young children and spends his time either ferrying them around various clubs, cycling, walking on Dartmoor or visiting the coast.

After returning home to Devon following completing her Geography degree in the Midlands, Laura spent nine years working in a variety of roles for a national insurance company, based in Exeter. She then became a specialist Financial Protection Adviser at a firm in Exeter which specialised in assisting high risk clients to obtain suitable protection policies such as Life Assurance, Critical Illness cover, Income Protection and a variety of Business Protection cover. Laura loved being able to help clients find the best solution for their circumstances and decided to train to become a Financial Adviser so she could advise on a wider variety of financial situations. Laura joined the TJFS team as a trainee adviser in September 2019 and has recently qualified as a Financial Adviser, achieving the level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. She is excited to start assisting clients to meet their financial ambitions. Away from the financial world, Laura loves big family meals, reading, handbags and walks on the beach near her home in Dawlish.

Gemma began her career in Financial Services as a Mortgage Consultant in 2003 when she passed her CeMAP exams and qualified as a mortgage adviser. Relocation to Devon, from Somerset with her family in 2005 lead to a career pause whilst she helped with the accounts and administration with her family's new business. With systems in place and running smoothly, Gemma returned to Financial Services in 2008 when she took an employed roll as a PA & Relationship Manager to an IFA whilst her youngest child finished primary school. Following a crash in the markets her employment ceased and she created a freelance business as a Paraplanner in 2010. Gemma has been Paraplanning by day ever since. In March 2020, Gemma made the decision to under pin her knowledge and experience in the Financial Services Industry and applied to study for her Level 4 Diploma in Paraplanning with The London Institute of Banking and Finance.  It wasn’t easy returning to study after many years, particularly without any support or assistance but she passed with flying colours in all three areas and qualified in December 2020 (DipPP).  Gemma joined the TJFS team as Paraplanner at the end of November 2020. A positive end to what in many ways, was a challenging year.

Liz joined the TJFS team in June 2007.  She deals with the daily fees and monthly figures, as well as client servicing matters and all things administrative, essentially keeping the office running smoothly.   Prior to joining the team, Liz worked as a credit controller for the Nuffield Hospital. Away from the world of finance Liz enjoys sewing, crafts, walking and looking after her recently adopted rescue dog.

Paul has over 20 years’ experience in the technology sector, across private, public and charity sectors and as both a supplier and a purchaser, so he has a wide range of knowledge and expertise. Paul has been responsible for large, complex procurement activities with a total contract value of over £0.5 billion; he has created and run, with the help of his team, effective business units including maintaining cost-effective operating models and full P&L responsibility (up to £20 million pa); he has been responsible for business critical services; ensuring effective service delivery processes;  and he has owned the relationship and management processes with multiple key suppliers and partners (large and small) to ensure service levels were met. Paul specialises in cyber security and is currently pursuing Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, to become one of only around 7,500 in the UK. Paul oversees the commercial and cyber security areas of Think IT, and works closely with Mike to make sure our products are right, our staff are skilled, and our clients are happy! Paul is based in our Exeter office.

Mike joined ThinkIT in 2012 as a Microsoft IT technician and quickly became an established and valuable member of the firm’s client support team. He became ThinkIT's Technical Director in August 2019 and has over 18 years of experience in the business IT sector with considerable hands on IT expertise having been part of the delivery of a variety of specific client projects and ongoing support requirements. His primary responsibilities as Technical Director include technical overview and planning of the client workload and overseeing the technical team, as well as using his extensive expertise in offering technical assistance and support.