Our Team

Mike Berry

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

mrb@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
CTA - Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation
FABRP - Fellow of the Association of Business Recovery Professionals

Experience & Specialisms:

Mike trained locally and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970.  He then enhanced his experience by working for a now Big 4 firm in Bristol before joining Maxwells as a Partner in 1973.  He became Senior Partner in 1982.  As well as being a Chartered Accountant, Mike is a Chartered Tax Advisor and also holds an Insolvency Licence. He has been involved for many years in the Somerset and South Western Societies of Chartered Accountants.

Mike regards himself as a General Practitioner but with strong areas of expertise in taxation generally and particularly Capital Gains Tax, Capital Allowances, Revenue and Capital Expenditure. He is also well versed in Tax Enquiry work. He is also able to provide a wide range of advice in connection with general tax strategies of businesses and individuals incorporating Capital Taxes planning.

Outside work:

Mike is born and bred in Somerset and lives near Bridgwater. He is extremely well known in local sporting circles particularly rugby football where he has played for Bridgwater and Albion RFC for the last forty-five seasons compiling a record number of appearances for that club, having reached the 1500 mark in February 2007 and currently up to 1530, although he indicates that his services are not so readily required these days, but is still willing and able to join in. He has also been President of the club for the past eleven years and was President of the Somerset County Rugby Football Union between 2005 and 2007 and continues as Hon Treasurer of the Union. Mike also has a considerable interest in cricket, being President of Wembdon CC whom he follows avidly; he also follows the fortunes of Somerset County Cricket Club at Taunton. The golf course beckons on some occasions where he is a philosophical player merely out to enjoy himself in the company of other similarly minded individuals. Road cycling in the local area is another attribute with an annual tour to Europe a must. Add in winter skiing then an all round sports profile backs the work ethic on the simple premise that if you work hard you can enjoy yourself so much more in your outside activities.

Nigel Blannin

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

nab@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Experience & Specialisms:

Nigel has worked for Maxwells in Bridgwater for 30 years and has been a Partner for the last 28 years. He originally trained with Kidsons in Brighton following the completion of his degree in Biochemistry at the University of Sussex. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1976.

The majority of his client portfolio consists of family owned limited companies and professional practices. Although best described as a General Practitioner in common with all the Partners in the firm, Nigel's particular areas of interest are Auditing, Business Development, Corporation Tax Planning and undertaking the role of mentor to growing businesses.

Other interests:

Nigel has recently completed his term in office as the Financial Director of Burnham & Berrow Golf Club and previously has been a Governor of Cannington College, a large local land based agricultural college and was Chairman of the Audit Committee. Nigel lives near Weston-Super-Mare and has strong links with the local business community in that area.

Outside work:

Like most of the Partners in the firm, Nigel is a keen sportsman and in his younger days played both rugby and football for league and local teams. More recently he has been playing league squash and badminton and his current challenge is desperately trying to reduce his golf handicap at Burnham & Berrow.

Steve Ball

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

steve@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Experience & Specialisms:

Steve qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Taunton in 1976 after having obtained a Degree in Economics in 1972. He joined Maxwells in 1979 and became a Partner in 1980.

As a General Practitioner he deals in all aspects of the self employed (partnerships & individuals) from Accounts, Tax Planning (Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax) to dealing with Personal Tax clients and supporting new and existing client business development.

Over the years, he has developed strong local ties having lived in Somerset all his life and has a close relationship with his local community in dealing with Charities, Agriculture, the Tourist Industry and a diverse variety of other local businesses.

Outside work:

In his spare time, Steve enjoys various pursuits including walking, cycling, badminton, tennis, gardening and eating al fresco.

Philip Littler

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

philip@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Experience & Specialisms:

Philip joined the predecessor firm of Maxwells in 1979 after training as a Chartered Accountant with a national firm in Bristol. He became a partner in the firm in 1990.

Philip is a General Practitioner and has extensive knowledge in areas such as company audit, solicitor's accounts, charities etc. He specialises particularly in personal insolvency and runs the firm's small insolvency department. He is also Treasurer and Secretary of The South Western Society of Chartered Accountants.

Outside work:

Philip is well known locally for his bright ties and a beard which has never been shaved off in over 30 years. Away from the office, his interests include railways and travel, mainly to countries where tourists are very rare.

Clive Hall-Tomkin

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

clive@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Experience & Specialisms:

At 43, Clive’s enthusiasm has helped mould our dynamic team. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1991 through a Devon practice and moved to Maxwells in 1992. The work hard, play hard ethic led to Partnership in 1995 and a current golf handicap of 8.

Clive likes to work with business owners and managers to promote profitability. Specialising on developing their business and Analysis via Management Accounts has helped to improve many client’s bank accounts. Expertise in taxation matters aims to keep it there! Accessibility and communication in plain English is the key so that liaison with their accountant seems second nature.

Outside work:

Clive’s interest in playing golf and football, along with go-karting, tennis, skiing in the winter and trekking in the summer, leads to an active social life. His 12 and 9 year old boys are following suit.

Debbie Villis

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

debbiev@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
CTA - Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation

Experience & Specialisms:

Debbie joined Maxwells in 1996 after obtaining a degree in Accounting & Finance at The University of the West of England. Debbie then went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in 1999 and became a partner in 2003.

Debbie qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor in 2004 and has continued to work in this area.

Debbie likes to work with the clients in developing their business systems and helping the client to manage their business profitably.  This involves reviewing clients’ management information and providing recommendations for improvement.

Debbie specialises in managing all areas of taxation for both Limited companies and Sole Practitioners with the aim of reducing the clients’ tax liabilities. She also works with corporate clients in both an accounting and audit capacity.

Outside work:

Debbie enjoys swimming and cycling as well as running a local skittle team.

Adam Turrell

Telephone:

01278 423008

Email:

adam@maxwellsaccountants.co.uk

Position:

Audit Partner

Qualifications:

FCA - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
BA (Hons) - Keele University

Experience & Specialisms:

Adam trained with a local Somerset firm, then moved to Bristol as part of the internal audit dept. at Sun Life, and finally joined Maxwells ten years ago as a manager in their corporate department.

Adam is experienced in all aspects of company financial reporting, taxation and audit procedures, and has particular knowledge of fraud investigations, internal control reviews and corporate consultancy.

Outside work:

Adam enjoys any sports which involve fresh air, speed and water, so skiing, wind-surfing and coasteering are high on the Agenda, although golf and rock concerts are favourite 'relaxing' sidelines. He also enjoys military history and gives 'lectures' on various battles to anyone who will listen!