Grant Thornton strengthens employment service

GRANT Thornton has strengthened its employer solutions service in Birmingham with three senior appointments.

Robert Kingston is the firm’s head of employee benefits consultancy for the Midlands region. A highly qualified professional with 28 years’ experience in the pensions industry, Mr Kingston’s new role will focus on designing effective employee benefit packages including pensions, healthcare and staff welfare schemes.

Sharon Gilkes joins Grant Thornton to lead the Birmingham-based employment taxes team following 15 years at PwC, where she built a reputation for developing tailored reward and compensation solutions for her clients.

The third appointment sees James Hemphill join the firm from Deloitte as senior manager. He will focus on workforce cost management and employment tax compliance matters

Dave Munton, managing partner at Grant Thornton in Birmingham, said: “Grant Thornton’s client base is predominantly entrepreneur-led businesses with an increasing demand for innovative and tax-compliant remuneration policies which help them to attract and retain the best talent.

“As a result we have invested in our locally-based employer solutions team with Robert, Sharon and James’s appointments and will continue to seek additional resource as this area of our business grows even further.”

ICAEW elects new Vice President

ARTHUR Bailey, a consultant with Begbies Traynor and chairman of Stafford Railway Building Society, has been elected as the new vice president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales.

Mr Bailey has served on the ICAEW’s council for 14 years, including three years as chairman, and is currently a member of the institute’s board.

He said: “Supporting ICAEW’s members wherever they are will be my first priority. We must never lose sight of the fact that our primary function is to support out members, whatever their diverse needs and geographic location.  In times of economic turbulence and increasing legislation, we need, more than ever, to provide that support so that they remain trusted financial and business advisers,” he continued.”

Mr Bailey will act as vice president in support of Mark Spofforth, who will be president for 2012/2013. The deputy president will be Martyn Jones.

Mr Spofforth, ICAEW’s current deputy president added: “Over many years, Arthur has made a significant contribution to the work of the institute as a council member, board member and as chair of the audit committee. He brings with him a wealth of experience, both through his many years in practice but also as a member more recently working in the business community. I warmly congratulate him on his election and look forward to working closely with him over the coming months.”

Bluefin Insurance appoints new branch director

AXA-owned Bluefin Insurance has appointed Nigel Bartlett as branch director of its Corporate division office in Birmingham.
 
Mr Bartlett joins from JLT Insurance Brokers where he was sales leader – strategic accounts.
 
Bluefin specialises in commercial and personal insurance for clients ranging from major corporations to private individuals and has 45 offices across the UK placing around £600m in annual premiums.
 
Howard Fryer, Bluefin’s Head of Corporate, said: “Nigel’s arrival will significantly beef up our presence in the Midlands and is a further strengthening of our Corporate Division as we continue to grow our share of the commercial insurance market focusing particularly on larger businesses.”