Remembering John Stokdyk: A Personal Tribute from Crunch

It is with a heavy heart that we at Crunch remember John Stokdyk, a legend in the accountancy world, who recently passed away. John was not just a journalist; he was a visionary who understood the intersection of accountancy and technology like few others. His contributions to the industry were profound, and his impact on Crunch was significant. 

I had the privilege of interacting with John on numerous occasions. His interest and enthusiasm for our work were genuine and deep. I remember my excitement when we were selected by UBER to handle all their drivers' accountancy and tax work, whether they were sole traders or Limited companies providing high-end car services. John questioned me in his usual, slightly sceptical way and then, finally content that he understood the arrangement in minute detail, wrote the story. The beauty of this story was that although we had won a hard battle against some huge accountancy firms, it was the drivers’ choice to select Crunch as their tax agent. 

John's visits to our office, facilitated by our excellent PR consultant Vicki Hughes and her team at Fugu, were always a highlight. His presence brought a unique energy, his questions sparked stimulating discussions and his write-ups following these visits were always insightful and fair. He was a larger-than-life character, known for his tie-dye T-shirts and trademark moustache. His fame in the profession was such that individuals and organisations across the industry would seek his seal of approval, and we at Crunch were no exception. 

Vicki herself remembers John: "Such a well-informed, experienced journalist who knew more than most about the accounting tech market. John was such a nice guy to work with, he asked the most thought-provoking questions, but was also always kind and considerate in his approach. I really looked forward to our conversations, he was one in a million and he'll be hugely missed!" 

But behind the legend was a man who was passionate about his work and unfailingly generous with his time, and his focus on community elevated his work. He had an uncanny ability to get to the heart of what the profession really cared about, rather than just reflecting the view from accounting’s ivory tower. 

John's loss is deeply felt, not just at Crunch, but across the entire accountancy tech world. His passion for the industry, his commitment to fair and insightful journalism, and his unwavering support for innovation will be sorely missed. 

As we continue to innovate and grow at Crunch, we will remember John's contributions and strive to uphold the standards he set in his work. His legacy will continue to inspire us and many others in the industry. 

Our thoughts are with John's family, friends, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. His memory will live on in the industry he loved so much.

Darren Fell

Founder & CEO