The Board of Helphire Group plc comprises six members; two executive directors, three non-executive directors who are independent of management and one non-executive Chairman, Avril Palmer-Baunack, who was regarded as independent at the time of her appointment.
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 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Avril
Palmer-Baunack
Chairman
Avril was appointed Chairman in September 2011 and is currently Chief Executive Officer of Autologic Holdings plc. Prior to joining Autologic in 2007 Avril was Chief Executive Officer of Universal Salvage plc. She has previously been Managing Director of FMG Support Ltd, the UK's largest independent provider of fleet management services and has held management positions at Europcar UK, Northgate Motor Holdings plc and the Caudwell Group. Avril is non-executive chairman at Molins PLC and was previously non-executive director at Alexon Group plc. She served as a non-executive director at Helphire between April 2009 and December 2010.
Martin
Ward
Chief Executive Officer
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. In October 2011, Martin was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
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. The business was acquired by an AIM listed plc in 2003. Martin has an MBA from Durham University.
Stephen
Oakley
Chief Financial Officer
Stephen joined the Group as Chief Financial Officer on 18 October 2011. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants having qualified with Price Waterhouse in London in 1974 and is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Stephen has significant experience in the implementation of group financial controls and reconstructions having in the past been Group Finance Director of fully listed groups such as The Hartstone Group plc (1993 to 1996) and Macarthy plc (1988 to 1992). He was also previously Group Chief Executive of AIM listed Loftus Road plc (1997 to 1998) and Interim Chief Financial Officer of AIM listed Sira Business Services plc (2000 to 2001).
Mark
McCafferty
Non-Executive Director
Mark McCafferty joined 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 Premiership Rugby Ltd and has held non-executive directorships with HMV Group plc and UMBRO plc.
Simon
Poulton
Non-Executive Director
Simon Poulton joined the Group as Interim Chief Financial Officer on 27 June 2011 and served in this role until 18 October 2011, joining the Board as Non-Executive Director on 26 October 2011.
Simon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants having qualified in 1980 with Price Waterhouse, London and is a member of the Institute For Turnaround. He has acted as chief financial officer and chief restructuring officer for a number of quoted companies.
John L
Davies
Non-Executive Director
John brings a wealth of relevant experience to Helphire’s Board having been, until he retired in 2006, Managing Director of Lloyds TSB’s Asset Finance Division which, amongst other businesses, included the bank’s motor-related operations. Prior to that John was Group Head of Consumer Finance for Standard Chartered Bank and Managing Director of their UK finance house subsidiary Chartered Trust. He has also held the positions of Managing Director of United Dominions Trust, a subsidiary of Lloyds TSB and a Director of the Finance and Leasing Association. In his career John has also been involved in a number of joint ventures with motor manufacturers and motor importers.
John is currently non-executive Chairman of Autologic Holdings PLC, a non-executive director of Molins PLC and Chairman of the Vehicle Remarketing Association.
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