Paul Stapleton - Senior Partner

Paul is a Senior Partner of Parkhurst Hill. He commenced his Articles in 1971 with Cullum White & Pawley and on the retirement of Dennis Cullum in July 1982 Paul joined with Tony Parkhurst to form A G Parkhurst & Co. Following the sudden death of Tony Parkhurst in September 1997 Paul and his other partner, Linda Price, continued that firm until the merger with John B Hill & Co in April 1999 to form Parkhurst Hill.

Paul is married with five children and has lived in Plymouth all his life having attended Victoria Road Primary School and then Devonport High School. He took his Foundation Course in Accountancy at Plymouth University. Paul is a former Chairman of Plymouth Round Table and the first ever Devon (Area 19) President.

Paul has been a lifelong supporter of Plymouth Argyle Football Club and in June 1998 became a Director. In August 2001 Paul was at the Head of a Consortium to take over the Club and became Chairman then, overseeing the Club rise from Division 3 (now League 2) into the Championship winning 2 titles in 2002 and 2004. This has been regarded as the Club's most successful period ever. Paul is now Deputy Chairman of the Club, having relinquished the Chair in July 2009. However, he is also now a director of Plymouth World Cup Bid Limited and Plymouth Argyle's representative on the consortium, which is aiming to persuade the FA and FIFA that Plymouth should be a host City for the World Cup in 2018.

Paul has been involved in General Practice for many years. He has many professional clients, e.g. doctors, dentists, solicitors but enjoys dealing with all clients helping them through the business jungle. He specialises in all aspects of taxation and business management advice.

Linda Price – Partner

Linda commenced Chartered Accountancy training in the Midlands, completing that training with a firm in Plymouth in 1986. She worked at A G Parkhurst & Co from August 1986 as a newly qualified Chartered Accountant, initially as a personal assistant to the late Tony Parkhurst. Linda then qualified as a Taxation Practitioner and became a partner in the practice from 1 August 1992.

Linda is a General Practitioner with particular interest in Solicitors and corporate clients, incorporating accounts, taxation , general business advice and audit aspects of the work.

Linda is an Honorary member and former Chairman of Liskeard & Looe Ladies Circle and also, more recently the Area Chairman of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Ladies Circle. She enjoys playing badminton, swimming and general keep fit whenever time permits.

David Tromans - Partner

Educated in the midlands, David graduated in Business Studies in 1975 with a BA (Hons) from Portsmouth specialising in Accounts and Company Law. David undertook his articles with a medium sized London firm of Chartered Accountants in Harley Street.

He moved to the South West in 1979 and joined Cullum White and Pawley as senior for John Hill and then was offered partnership in 1982 when John B Hill & Co was formed and remained in place when John B Hill & Co merged with AG Parkhust & Co.

As well as wealth creation for clients David specialises in wealth retention by providing Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax planning specialising in family trusts.

David also runs a general portfolio which includes in particular Doctors, Barristers, IR35 companies plus Commercial & Residential Property Portfolios.

Amongst other outside interests David is a black belt in karate.

Paul Whitby - Partner

Educated at Sutton High School and qualifying in April 1973, Paul went on to work for Touche Ross until 1979 when he moved to Geoffrey L Johnson & Co as a partner. In 1996 he set up his own practice providing a highly personalised service to his clients. Paul joined Parkhurst Hill as a partner on 1st May 2008.

Paul's area of expertise is Taxation.

In his spare time, Paul likes to travel and experience different cultures. He has been a member of Tavistock golf club for more than twenty years and currently plays off a handicap of 11. Paul is married with two daughters.

Keith Clay - Managing Partner

Keith is married to Jane, they have two children. He has lived and worked in Plymouth all his life and attended Salisbury Road Primary School and Sutton High Grammer School.

Keith qualified in 1980 after having completed articles with a local practice of Accountants. He carried on working for a small practice until 1984 when he joined what is now KPMG. Keith stayed at that firm for thirteen years, working his way to the level of senior manager responsible for owner managed businesses.

In 1997, Keith returned to work in a local practice ultimately becoming a partner on 1 May 1999 when Parkhurst Hill was formed.

Keith's interest is very much in owner managed businesses in the South West, having lived in Plymouth or thereabouts all his life. Size is not an important criteria as Keith aims to be proactive with all his clients assisting them to grow in their particular fields. In addition, he has particular expertise in charitable companies, solicitors and estate agents.

Keith has several outside interests including building & flying radio controlled aeroplanes, golf & walking his black Labrador, Harvey.

Mike Brightwell

Mike started in the profession in Plymouth in the late 1960's but then moved away to spend a number of years in a practice based in the city of London where he became a senior manager. This practice had five offices in the home counties and clients ranging from the one-man band to public companies. On moving back to Plymouth Mike worked in commerce for approximately six years before going back into the profession with KPMG (then Peat Marwick). He stayed there for approximately five years working in their small business department and then left to develop his own practice initially as a partner in a financial services group. Michael Brightwell & Co existed for approximately eight years and was well thought of by both clients and business contacts. In October 1996 the business merged with John B Hill & Co later to become Parkhurst Hill.

Mike's wide experience gained both from within the profession and in commerce makes him ideally suited to assist the self-employed and he takes particular delight in seeing businesses grow.

A keen sportsman who plays Devon League Squash, Golf, Tennis and Badminton, he prides himself on 'being available' for clients.