Hot on the heels of exceptional half year results, Newport-based Henry Howard Finance Group has appointed a new head of HR and compliance to help support its continued growth.

Melissa Rees, from Bridgend in South Wales, has more than 14 years’ experience in HR leadership and compliance oversight roles in the financial services sector and joins the business from Vauxhall Finance plc, where she held the role of UK deputy money laundering reporting officer and senior compliance specialist.

Prior to this, she previously served at board level as an HR director and as group HR and compliance manager in a FCA regulated national IFA network.

Having studied employment law and HR management at Swansea Metropolitan University at post-graduate level, Melissa has held professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development by qualification since 2003 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Melissa will help the firm identify and manage regulatory risks through the development of a robust compliance and operational risk management framework, and the alignment of strategic HR priorities with HHF’s business objectives in order to attract, develop and retain talent.

She said: “The business has experienced significant growth during an unprecedented period of regulatory reform. We have a great track record in repeat business and we want that to continue – expanding the HR infrastructure and continuing to provide responsive compliance support to employees are essential tools to achieve sustained delivery of successful customer outcomes.

“Having spent the majority of my career working with entrepreneurial businesses in the SME market, it’s great to have the opportunity to influence change in a highly successful, people-centric and forward-thinking business such as Henry Howard Finance. Everyone has made me feel so welcome.”

Mark Catton, group chief executive of Henry Howard Finance, said: “Operating in the financial services sector, it is absolutely imperative that we not only uphold the highest standards but also that we recruit and retain the best staff. Our company ethos is built around teamwork, therefore we have a robust recruitment process to ensure those we employ understand this way of working and have the qualities needed to aid the business, such as having the right attitude and mind-set to achieve our shared goal.

"Melissa’s appointment is another string to our bow which will help us develop our company objectives and we are delighted that she has joined the company.”