Meet the team

John Stimpson FCA

John's main interest is in helping clients to plan for the future by assisting them with business and tax strategies. John deals with computer related matters and advises clients on accounting software as well as providing advice on tax and accounting.

John trained with a medium sized firm in Surrey and qualified in 1982 after experiencing a secondment to a multi-national oil company. After qualifying, he joined what is now KPMG and went to work in Lusaka in Zambia. He gained experience of working in a large firm and of auditing large multinational companies.

On returning to the UK in 1984 John joined Grant Thornton as a manager and from there worked for smaller firms, gaining experience of smaller businesses before joining as a partner in 1999.

John is married with four children who have all now left home. Life outside work finds him enjoying the countryside or at the local eateries near his home in Chichester. He does find time to (try) to keep fit, watch the occasional rugby match and support local and national charities.

Linda Stimpson ACA

Linda has been with the firm since April 2011 and is responsible for co-ordinating personal tax work dealing with tax returns and tax planning. She also deals with accounts for companies, partnerships and sole traders.

Linda qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1981 having trained with Grant Thornton in Worthing. She went to work in Zambia for what is now KPMG and experienced working with large state owned and multinational companies.

When she returned to the UK she undertook a six month contract with the Brighton office of KPMG, before joining a local practice in Havant dealing with accounts preparation for small and medium sized businesses including doctors, audits, charity accounts, company and personal taxation, and litigation support.

Linda is married to John and outside work she is involved with the church, a choir and a youth theatre group and is treasurer of all three. She enjoys gardening, the countryside, theatre and reading.

Paula Smail

Paula deals with accounts preparation for small and medium sized sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, as well as preparation of monthly management accounts and completion of VAT Returns. She is also responsible for the weekly and monthly payroll systems for our clients.

Away from the office she has a busy family life with two children and enjoys walking, reading, knitting and volunteer work.

Paula has been with the firm since 2000, having previously worked for a top ten accountancy practice for over 10 years. She also spent five years as Secretary of a local golf club.

Angela Crocker

Angela joined Howard Smith & Co in 2001 as their receptionist and administration assistant. She is secretary to John, as well as continuing her duties of keeping office and clients’ documentation in order, and greeting customers at the office or on the telephone.

Angela likes to spend her spare time relaxing with family and friends, and enjoys attempting to train her Jack Russell Terrier.