Howden’s Glenn Thomas Becomes Director of Asinta’s Executive Board
Glenn Thomas, Managing Director of Employee Benefits & Wellbeing, and Global Practice Leader for Howden, will join Asinta’s Executive Board in January 2021. John Dean, who has served as a Director for many years, is retiring at the end of 2020. Glenn will assume John’s role.
“John’s high energy and intellectual grasp of what it takes to create a collaborative business development group has been exceptionally helpful in growing and leading the Asinta Partnership over the years,” says Wendi Pickerel, Asinta’s Global Executive Director. “His thoughtful perspective and jovial personality will be missed. She adds, “We also eagerly welcome Glenn to the board knowing that his level of sophistication and knowledge of the global landscape will help further refine and distinguish Asinta’s reputation among global employers.”
Glenn is looking forward to continuing and developing the long-standing relationships that are already in place. “Asinta is a special partnership, with strong relationships between members and a shared commitment to serve clients. I believe there is a real opportunity for us to continue to learn from one another and benefit from each other’s expertise and knowledge, especially in areas that are emerging and becoming an increasing priority for clients – such as data analytics, employee wellbeing, managing multi-generational workforces and greater personalization of benefits, supported by technology.”
Glenn’s background in developing employee benefits practices spans 25 years. He joined Howden in March 2018 as Managing Director, with the goal of building a client focused employee benefits organization. His experience includes serving as CEO of Jelf Employee Benefits as well as being one of the founders of the Jelf Group, an AIM listed business employing over 1,200 people. As CEO of Jelf, Glenn was responsible for leading the employee benefits and financial planning division of the company. Jelf was acquired by Marsh & McLennan in 2015. Following the acquisition, Glenn took on the responsibility of developing the employee benefits business for Marsh as a member of the Marsh UK & Ireland Executive Committee, and the Leadership of Small and Medium Enterprises for Mercer Marsh Benefits in the UK. He moved to Mercer to become a Partner in the Global Business Solutions division in 2017 before joining Howden.
When asked what he most appreciates about the Asinta Partnership Glenn says, “Employee benefit provision is fast evolving to meet the changing needs and demographics of today’s global workforce, with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development estimating that 26% of global private sector employees work for multinational enterprises. Being an Asinta Partner enables us to stay well connected and work with trusted local partners to serve these multinational businesses and provide our clients with the latest insights and up-to-date advice.”
He adds, “Asinta collectively gives partners the power to compete against the dominant global benefit consultants, particularly at a time when we are seeing further consolidation in the market. We know that some clients are actively seeking an alternative. By working together with partners who truly understand the benefits landscape in their local country, this is exactly what we can offer.”