Leeds-based commercial insurance provider and risk manager, Gauntlet Group, has responded to its significant growth in the last two years by appointing its first Financial Controller.
Kevin Howland, who lives in Wetherby, has become head of the finance and administration departments, managing long-serving employees, Jane Clarke and Robin Sutton, and an expanding administration team.
His responsibilities include controlling the finance, accounting and administrative functions at Gauntlet, ensuring they run efficiently and securely. Kevin’s remit is also to ensure consistency of the Group’s financial reporting and to oversee and review the accounting function, assessing where additional controls and improved procedures are required.
The appointment is a direct response to the challenges of a growing business and the robust and inherent financial controls and systems that such a phase requires. This was a challenge that attracted Kevin to the role from his previous job at an American-owned publishing company, where he had worked for 12 years.
Kevin’s appointment will also facilitate faster and highly accurate payments to Gauntlet’s growing network of appointed representatives, through the implementation of new systems and procedures.
Kevin says: “I took up this appointment because I relish the challenge of working in a new industry sector, where I can bring my wide experience to bear. I also recognised that I could contribute to the continuing success story of Gauntlet.
“The passion and enthusiasm for the business demonstrated by the Gauntlet directors were major contributory factors when I was making my decision to join the company. With this drive behind the business, there is a dynamic that fills the office each working day and motivates all members of the team to excel in their roles.”
Gauntlet’s managing director, Roger Gaunt, says: “Kevin’s appointment marks another significant milestone in Gauntlet’s growth and sends out a message that we are serious about growth, but recognise the need to keep controls in place and grow in a sustainable way.
“We feel that appointments like this, along with all the other initiatives we are implementing, are encouraging ambitious account executives to make us the network of choice when it comes to establishing their own business as appointed representatives. They are also allowing us to attract the cream of the talent pool when it comes to our employee recruitment, which provides a virtuous circle as Gauntlet continues to grow.”