The people behind the practice.

Partner

Chris Humphreys

FCA

Chris joined Philip Barnes & Co in 1987 from a top-twenty firm where he specialised in auditing, acquisitions and corporate finance. He became partner in 1990 at the age of 31. He focuses on tax planning and audit work, and oversees compliance, systems, IT and staff operations across the firm.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Partner

Faith Bates

FCA · FCCA

A lifelong Tamworth resident, Faith joined the firm at 18 as a trainee and has worked with businesses across every sector we cover. She specialises in audits, tax planning and conflict resolution, and runs a 12-strong team supporting more than 150 clients. Faith also organises the firm’s client seminars.

“Work to live, not live to work.”

Partner

John Clark

FCA · FCCA

John started in practice at 16, qualified in 1998, and became a full partner in 2004 after years working closely with the firm’s founder Philip Barnes. He specialises in tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and owner-managed businesses, and has saved clients millions of pounds in tax over his career.

“Success is simple: do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.”

Director

Stephen Eardley

FCA

Stephen has more than 25 years in practice and holds AAT, ACCA and ACA qualifications. He has overseen the Uttoxeter office since 2010 and joined the board as Director in 2016 when the Uttoxeter and Tamworth practices merged. He specialises in the farming industry, with a focus on tax planning and cashflow forecasting.

New Business

Dean Ackrill

FCCA

Dean leads on new client introductions. He spent 13 years helping SMEs in practice before becoming Financial Director of a telecoms firm at 32, where he oversaw growth and restructuring that delivered multi-million-pound savings — the business was recognised in Deloitte’s Top 50 Fastest-Growing in 2002.

Client Manager — Farming

Jo Warburton

CTA · ATT

Jo manages our farming department. She grew up on a farm and is a fully qualified Chartered Tax Adviser, which gives her both the technical depth and the empathy our agricultural clients value. Jo is treasurer of the East Midlands Farm Discussion Association and a regular face at farm conferences.

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing, motivation determines what you do, attitude determines how well you do it.”