An Interview with Alun Thomas

Name: Alun Thomas
Role: Employee Benefits Consultant

What do you enjoy most about your role? 

I work as an Employee Benefits Consultant within Howden’s Asset Management focussed Employee Benefits division.

For me, the greatest satisfaction comes in rapport building with my clients, to the extent that they know I will obtain the best possible outcome for them and have complete trust in my recommendation. I also relish the challenge of providing a client with a solution that they either felt wasn’t obtainable or financially viable.

Ultimately, I take pride in providing a comprehensive consultancy led service to my clients regardless of their status as a start-up or established business with a fully embedded employee benefits proposition.

How important is work/life balance to you?

Extremely! I recently became a father for the first time, and being able to spend time with and support my family is so important to me.

I am as keen as ever to work hard and progress within Howden, but equally as mindful that maintaining a work/life balance is paramount.

How has Howden supported you in having a good work/life balance?

Whilst I was on paternity leave, I found out the fantastic news that the business updated their maternity and paternal leave policy, meaning I could spend even more time with my new family.

Maternity leave is now 26 weeks paid leave and paternity leave is four weeks paid leave. Spending that additional two weeks at home, made all the difference and I’m so glad I had the opportunity.

Having an employer and a manager that offers flexibility and puts people first has been a crucial part in achieving this balance, and adapting to a new way of working with my family.

How has fatherhood changed your perspective on the workplace?

I have always been passionate about improving the workplace environment. I believe that diversity and inclusion within the workplace will have an impact, directly or indirectly, on every employee within the Howden group.

I am part of Howden’s Respect initiative, an employee-led group with the aim to make Howden a better place to work, making sure every employee feels included and valued. As a new father with a daughter, it only highlights the importance for me in building a workplace environment where people get to the top based on their merits and abilities.