Helm Godfrey, the independent employee benefits and wealth management consultancy, has appointed Steve Wood to join the senior corporate consultants’ team.
The appointment of Steve, formerly of Bluefin Corporate Consulting, marks another milestone in the growth of Helm Godfrey as a leading provider in the corporate advice market. Steve joins in the dual role as Senior Consultant and Head of Projects and has been tasked with overseeing the firm’s auto-enrolment proposition.
Steve has more than three decades of experience in the employee benefits sector, beginning his career in 1974 with Sun Life and subsequently working for a number of major consultancies, including Mercer.
Steve was a director of the London Division of SBJ Benefits Consultants until 2009, when it became part of the Axa-backed Bluefin brand, where he remained until joining Helm Godfrey in December.
John Deacon, Director and Head of Employee Benefits for Helm Godfrey, said: “Steve’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to being one of the leading names in the employee benefits sector. His vast experience will be a great strength for us as we tackle – in partnership with our clients – the many challenges which lie ahead in the corporate advice market – not least employer duties and auto-enrolment, where Steve will be leading our efforts.
“We envisage we may recruit more senior people to the employee benefits division provided, like Steve, they can demonstrate high levels of skill, expertise and added value to the business.”
Steve Wood added: “Employers have a great deal on their plates, particularly readying themselves for auto-enrolment and we are here to help them by providing the best advice and assistance available.
“The announcement of a delay for small businesses in implementing auto-enrolment demonstrates the many uncertainties and issues faced by employers in this area.
“However, employers affected by the delay should not become complacent about getting advice in a timely fashion to ensure they do not face problems when the time comes.
“We hope now that there will be no further fundamental changes and we can expect the government to release a full timetable of auto-enrolment key dates in January. I am looking forward to helping employers deal with the many issues the new employer duties create.”
Steve will also be advising companies on all aspects of employee benefit provision including the ongoing transition from trust-based to contract-based pension arrangements.
