Board and governance
The Board of Helphire Group plc comprises seven members; three executive directors, one of whom (Richard Rose) is Chairman, and four non-executive directors, who are independent of management.
The Board has established Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees, with formally delegated duties and responsibilities, and written terms of reference. From time to time, separate committees may be set up by the Board to consider specific issues when the need arises. A Group Operating Board has been created comprising senior managers immediately below Board level together with the Group Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer.
Executive Chairman
Richard was appointed Chairman in January 2009, becoming an Executive Director in April 2009. He is Non-Executive Chairman of Booker Group plc and also holds a number of other Chairmanships including Toumaz Holdings, Crawshaw Group and Kiotech International, all AIM listed businesses. Richard has substantial experience in delivering significant shareholder value as CEO of listed businesses and also brings a wealth of experience as a Chairman operating across a diverse range of sectors.
Group Managing Director
Martin joined Helphire Group plc in August 2005 as Managing Director of its subsidiary business, Albany Assistance Limited. In February 2009 Martin became Managing Director of the Group’s combined Accident Management Business and in April of the same year was appointed to Group Managing Director.
Martin has extensive insurance industry experience, having jointly founded the Rarrigini & Rosso Group in 1994, a leading independent wholesale motor fleet, property and risk management insurance business, where he was commercial and operations director. This business built a membership network of over 500 leading commercial insurance brokers throughout the UK and marketed schemes on behalf insurance companies, as well as securing significant outsourced risk management contracts with leading brand plc’s within their motor divisions. The business was later acquired by an AIM listed plc in 2003. Martin has an MBA from Durham University.
Group Finance Director
Ian joined Helphire in May 2009 from Camden Group Services, a Barclays Private Equity sponsored business where he was Chief Executive. Ian is a Chartered Management Accountant and has held a number of senior finance and general management roles within various business sectors. Prior to Camden Group Services, Ian was Chief Operating Officer of Vanguard EMEA (operators and franchisor of the Alamo Rent a Car, National Car Rental and Guy Salmon rent a car businesses in Europe, Middle East and Africa) having joined as Senior Vice President of Finance for International Operations. Vanguard EMEA was successfully grown and subsequently sold to the Europcar Group having been acquired as part of Vanguard Rental Group by funds of Cerberus Capital Management. Previously to that he was Director of Group Financial Control for Lex Service and Director of Finance and Deputy MD for Avis Rent a Car UK.
Non-Executive Director
Michael Howard joined the Board as Senior Independent Director in March 2009. Having entered parliament in 1983 and the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Employment in 1990, he became Home Secretary from 1993 to 1997. Michael went on to become Shadow Foreign Secretary, Shadow Chancellor and in 2003 was elected Leader of the Opposition. He brings to the Board extensive experience both as a QC and a statesman which, in addition to his role as Non-Executive Director, will assist in managing the Company’s key external relationships. Michael was a distinguished barrister and for a period of time, specialising in personal injury and accident cases and is currently a non-executive director of Amteus plc. He is also Deputy Chairman and a Non-Executive Director of Entree Gold LLC.
Non-Executive Director
Andrew Cripps joined the Board as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee in March 2009. Andrew began his career with KPMG before spending over 20 years with BAT plc and Rothmans International in a variety of finance, management and M&A roles. He currently serves as a non-executive director with Booker Group plc, where he chairs the Audit Committee, and is Deputy Chairman of Swedish Match AB, the Stockholm listed international consumer goods group. Andrew brings extensive experience from a background in accountancy, senior international executive management, corporate finance and M&A. He is also a non-executive director of Molins plc and was previously a non-executive director of Trifast plc and Carreras Group Limited.
Non-Executive Director
Mark McCafferty joins Helphire’s Board as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, having been appointed in March 2009. He brings with him extensive sector management and commercial experience, having spent a number of years as CEO of Avis Europe PLC. Prior to Avis, Mark was Managing Director of Thomas Cook Group Ltd, and previous to that was a manager in the office of the CEO, Midland Bank International. He is currently CEO of Premier Rugby Ltd and has held non-executive directorships with HMV Group plc and UMBRO plc.
Non-Executive Director
Avril Palmer-Baunack joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in April 2009. She brings extensive experience from a background in the automotive industry and in particular, the insurance and hire related sectors. Avril has predominately led turnaround companies and subsequently growth strategy within the automotive industry. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Autologic plc, a position held since November 2007, having previously been CEO of Universal Salvage plc, where she successfully re-engineered the business out of a significant loss making situation, returning it to profit and growth, before selling the group to a US company, and delivering a significant increase in shareholder value. Prior to that, she was Divisional Managing director of FMG group, the largest independent fleet claims company in the UK. Avril also previously held positions with Cauldwell Group, Europcar, Northgate Motor Holdings plc and Kennings.