WKH People

The people behind WKH Chartered Accountants:

David Smyth FCA Senior Partner Royston Office dsmyth@wkhca.co.uk David joined the firm as an articled clerk at the age of 16 and having qualified in 1977, he became a partner in 1981. David became WKH's senior partner on 1 January 2012. David enjoys building strong relationships with his clients and is trusted counsel for many business people. David has a particular interest in the manufacturing and hospitality sectors but offers all of his clients a wide range of business and tax planning advice. A Royston man through & through, David is an active member of the local business community and is involved in many fundraising events. David is keen on both cricket and football (well, Royston Town FC!), and loves spending weekends by the coast at Southwold.

Peter Woodhall FCA Partner Letchworth Office pwoodhall@wkhca.co.uk Peter focuses on providing a full range of business & tax advisory services to larger corporate clients and professional partnerships, and is also one of the firm’s Senior Statutory Auditors. Peter thrives on building strong relationships with his clients so that they view him as a key part of their team. A graduate of Nottingham University, Peter trained at Moores Rowland in an audit environment, joining Watts Knowles as an audit manager in 1992, and becoming a partner in 1996. Peter is something of a “petrolhead” and loves tearing around a track on either two or four wheels.

John Sheehan FCA Partner Letchworth Office jsheehan@wkhca.co.uk John qualified as a chartered accountant in 1981. He trained with Grant Thornton in Bedford. He is WKH's tax partner and is involved in the majority of significant transactions and planning exercises undertaken across the firm, advising on a broad range of taxes. He is a member of the ICAEW's Valuation and Forensic Special Interest Groups, reflecting the specialist work he does in valuing businesses and advising as an expert in matrimonial disputes. He has undertaken collaborative law training and is an active member of the Hertfordshire Family Collaborative Law Group. John also retains a role as one of the firm’s Senior Statutory Auditors. Out of the office, John is a keen quizzer, helps coach youth rugby and is an avid follower of Bedford Blues, Bedford Town FC and Chelsea FC.

Chris Maylin FCA Partner Letchworth Office cmaylin@wkhca.co.uk Chris has been with WKH since completing his degree in Accountancy and Finance at Warwick University in 1989. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in June 1993 and became a partner in the firm in January 1998. Chris has a diverse portfolio of clients who are primarily owner managed and the majority of his time is spent advising them in the role of outsourced finance director. His clients benefit not only from his significant experience but also from his sense of humour and attitude. Chris’ external interests are primarily of a sporting nature being heavily involved in life at Hitchin Cricket Club particularly in the ever growing junior section that he set up in 2006.

Tim Maris FCA Partner Royston Office tmaris@wkhca.co.uk Tim qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1991 while working for Grant Thornton in Bedford. He then went on to gain invaluable experience working in industry before returning to practice in 1997. He became a partner in the firm in 2000. Tim has a portfolio of primarily owner managed businesses, and enjoys providing business and tax planning advice to both corporate and personal clients. Being a graduate of Seale Hayne Agricultural College and having gained valuable commercial experience working as a management accountant for a large farming business Tim is WKH’s agricultural expert and is also one of the firm’s Senior Statutory Auditors. Outside of the office Tim is something of a demon on the squash court and enjoys sailing.

Paul Marsden CTA Partner Letchworth Office pmarsden@wkhca.co.uk Paul is director of WKH’s sister company Virtual Business Source Limited which has been offering specialist support in bookkeeping, management accounting, accounting software and payroll/human resources for over 10 years. Paul has a particular interest in IT and is a keen promoter of best practice in IT both for WKH and WKH clients. Paul joined the firm straight out of school has progressed to complete his Chartered Institute of Taxation ATII qualification. Paul became a partner on 1 January 2001. Paul is a keen supporter of Arsenal Football Club.

James Price ACA Partner Letchworth Office jprice@wkhca.co.uk James qualified  as a Chartered Accountant with WKH in 2001, having read Economics at Lancaster University prior to joining. Shortly afterwards he was promoted to manager with responsibility for providing audit and taxation services to a portfolio of corporate clients mostly comprising Owner Managed Businesses. James heads up the firm's corporate finance function, both in respect of delivering transaction, advisory & valuation services to clients, and in raising the firm's profile amongst the wider business community. James recently attained the ICAEW's Advanced Diploma in Corporate Finance and has subsequently been awarded the CF designation. Outside of work James swings a golf club with varying degrees of success and is a keen follower of Liverpool Football Club.

Stuart Hutchison FCCA Partner Letchworth Office shutchison@wkhca.co.uk Stuart specialises in the provision of business planning and tax planning solutions to a range of family owned and owner managed businesses. Stuart qualified with WKH in 2002 and became a partner in 2009. As one of WKH's relationship partners, Stuart prides himself on building a strong rapport with his clients and enjoys spending his time exploring opportunities to help his clients succeed. Stuart is an avid football fan and up until recently spent the majority of his weekends and evenings playing football. With his football career ended through injury, Stuart now spends as many days as his wife allows at John O'Gaunt Golf Course.

Stuart Guyton FCA Consultant sguyton@wkhca.co.uk Stuart’s main areas of expertise lie in business coaching, tax planning, personal financial planning, and retirement planning. He is renowned for his attention to detail, an ability to challenge the status quo, and a holistic approach that ensures clients’ decisions are made in the right context. He qualified in 1972, and having joined the firm in 1975, became a partner in 1978. Stuart’s main outside interest is sport. Having played and coached hockey for many years he now plays golf and loves watching international cricket. Stuart retired from WKH on 31 December 2010 but is remaining as a Consultant.

Nigel Willimer FCA Senior Partner Letchworth Office nwillimer@wkhca.co.uk Nigel qualified in 1973 and became a partner in 1977. On the first day of the new Millenium Nigel became WKH’s senior partner. Having spent many years dealing with all facets of accounts and tax, his main focus is now on capital tax planning for High Net Worth individuals. Nigel is passionate about great customer service and takes a close interest in ensuring that WKH live up to his own expectations. His hobbies include Golf and Travel – particularly Trains (loves anything to do with the railways but doesn’t own an anorak!), Planes and Automobiles sorry – Ships, enjoying the travelling more than the destination! Nigel retired from WKH on 31 December 2011 but is remaining as a Consultant.