Michelle Hutchings - Partner

Michelle Hutchings - Partner

Michelle joined the firm in 1996 as the first AAT apprentice, qualifying as a chartered accountant in 2002 and a chartered tax advisor in 2004. She was appointed a partner in 2012.

Michelle has experience of a wide range of businesses but specialises in dealing with companies and charities. She believes in providing an all-round, quality service to her clients focusing on tax, business advice and succession issues. She can also advise on estate and inheritance planning opportunities. Being a chartered tax advisor enables her to provide high quality tax advice hand in hand with compliance services.

Outside interests include walking, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.

Qualifications: FMAAT, FCA, CTA

Specialisms: Limited Companies, Charities, VAT, Succession Planning

Email: michelle@apsleys.com


Phil Morrish - Partner

Phil Morrish - Partner

Phil trained and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1982 with a well-known firm in Taunton before joining Apsleys in 2005 where he is now a partner. In 2018, Phil became a licensed practitioner for non-contentious probate within Apsleys. Phil is also general practitioner and has a broad portfolio of clients across many sectors. His portfolio does include a large portion of clients within the agricultural/farming community. Phil’s formative years in accountancy provided him with his understanding in the agricultural sector - as well as providing personal tax advice on all aspects of accounts from sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. The provision of probate is a relatively new venture for the firm but Phil (along with Renata Kell) is now able to assist clients with non-contentious probate.

Outside of work Phil is still playing and umpiring hockey albeit at a slower pace nowadays. Whilst retaining the desire to play cricket, he has only played once in the last three years. He plays bowls as well and enjoys walking when the lack of sport provides him the opportunity.

Qualifications – FCA

Specialisms - Personal Tax, VAT, Bookkeeping, Accounts, Farming Clients

Email: philm@apsleys.com


Renata Kell – Associate And Tax Manager

Renata Kell – Associate And Tax Manager

Renata joined Apsleys in 2008 and in 2012 qualified as a chartered accountant. She was then appointed as an associate in 2017. During her time with Apsleys she has developed her knowledge across a wide variety of businesses and now specialises in personal tax, trust tax, charity accounts and providing probate services.

In her free time, she has a passion for travelling and learning about different cultures.

Qualifications: FMAAT, FCA

Specialisms: Trusts, Probate, Personal Tax, Charity Accounts

Email: renata@apsleys.com


Janet Luxon – Associate And Non-corporate Manager

Janet Luxon – Associate And Non-corporate Manager

Janet joined the firm in 1985 as an office junior and progressed through the ranks before becoming an associate in 2018.

She has developed a wealth of experience from the wide ranging portfolio of businesses that she helps and advises, and brings to the firm a great deal of local knowledge and connections.

Outside interests include walking, Zumba, Pilates and gardening. She also supports her husband and two sons at Cullompton Rugby club.

Specialisms - Personal Tax, VAT, Bookkeeping, Accounts, Farming Clients

Email: janet@apsleys.com


Joanne Scrace – Corporate Manager

Joanne Scrace – Corporate Manager

Joanne joined the firm in 2013 where she started her training in accountancy and progressed to qualify as a chartered accountant in 2019. She has since continued to build up a wealth of experience across a wide range of businesses within the firm. Joanne specialises in Limited Companies and Charities and prides herself on providing proactive and reliable support and advice to her clients.

Outside of work, her free time is spent exploring the great outdoors, usually Exmoor or Dartmoor, with her husband, and sprocker spaniel, Duke.

Qualifications: FMAAT, ACA

Specialisms – Charities, Limited Companies, VAT, New Business Support

Email: joanne@apsleys.com


Sami Tucker – Business Support and Administration Lead

Sami Tucker – Business Support And Administration Lead

Sami joined Apsleys in 2020 when her predecessor retired after 50 years with the business, so she had big shoes to fill. Very soon she made the role her own and developed it into the vast role that it is today. She offers out a variety of services to clients including general admin, credit control and minute taking for charities. Sami prides herself of putting the client at the forefront of her mind all the time and loves nothing more than a cup of tea and a bourbon.

In her free time she is the Chair/Trustee of a small charity in Devon where she dedicates hours to improving the education and environment of the children who attend Willowbank Primary School. She also enjoys baking and putting on social events for staff, friends and family alike!

Qualifications: CMI Level 5 in Management

Specialisms – General Business Support, Credit Control, Administration

Email: sami@apsleys.com


Name: Amelia Hurst

Amelia Hurst

Job Title: Trainee Accounts and Admin Assistant

Joined Apsleys: February 2024

Specialisms: Bookkeeping, Administration

Hobbies outside of work: Majorettes

Email: amelia@apsleys.com


Name: Bradley Lester

Bradley Lester

Job Title: Trainee Accounts Assistant

Joined Apsleys: September 2022

Qualifications: AAT (Level 2)

Specialisms: Bookkeeping, VAT, Sage, Quickbooks

Hobbies outside of work: Football, Travelling, Cricket

Email: bradley@apsleys.com


Name: Carole Peard

Carole Peard

Job Title: Receptionist

Joined Apsleys: June 2016

Specialisms: Administration

Hobbies outside of work: Campervanning, Reading, Attending Music Festivals

Email: carole@apsleys.com


Name: Cheryl Butler

Cheryl Butler

Job Title: Accounts Assistant

Joined Apsleys: April 2016

Qualifications: FMAAT

Specialisms: VAT, Bookkeeping, Agricultural/Farming Clients, Accounts, Sage, QuickBooks, OneClick

Hobbies outside of work: Tiverton Amateur Operatic Society, Tiverton Town Majorettes, Singing

Email: cheryl@apsleys.com


Name: Duncan Morrish-Reed

Duncan Morrish-Reed

Job Title: Accounts Assistant

Joined Apsleys: June 2020

Qualifications: BA (Hons); MAAT; studying ACA

Specialisms: Limited Companies, VAT, Accounts, Bookkeeping, Sage, Quickbooks

Hobbies outside of work: Hockey, Cricket, Cooking

Email: duncan@apsleys.com


Name: Harry Tutchings

Harry Tutchings

Job Title: Accounts Assistant

Joined Apsleys: September 2020

Qualifications: MAAT

Specialisms: VAT, Bookkeeping, Accounts, Sage, Xero, Quickbooks

Hobbies outside of work: Football, Long walks, Gym, Travelling

Email: harry@apsleys.com


Name: Kyle James

Kyle James

Job Title: Trainee Accounts Assistant

Joined Apsleys: April 2024

Specialisms: Bookkeeping, Sage, QuickBooks

Hobbies outside of work: Boxing, Going to the Gym, Cooking, Gaming

Email: kyle@apsleys.com