SARAH HOWELL Director of Finance, Howell Technology Group (HTG).
What did you set out to achieve this year?
The last couple of years have taught us that while forward planning is vital, you also need to be able to react quickly to changes over which you have no control. Although we achieved our plan to build on our growth, open up some new sectors where we have a lot of expertise, and increase our profile, we also knew we needed to be flexible in our approach to achieving our goals.
Has everything gone according to plan?
Any business owner would say things don’t always go to plan, but that’s how life goes for everyone, it would be very boring if everything always ran smoothly.
How has the business adapted following the pandemic?
The last few years have seen everyone – including ourselves – re-evaluate where and how their people do their best work. We specialise in creating cloud-based modern workplaces and at the start of the pandemic we helped lots of organisations quickly adapt to hybrid working. As cloud specialists it’s been very rewarding to help other businesses accelerate their cloud journey.
What are you most proud of this year?
We are incredibly proud to have been awarded multiple Microsoft Advanced Specialisms. These recognise our excellence with Microsoft technologies and are a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication. We also moved into our new headquarters, doubling floor space to support more new jobs. Managing the move was a team effort, and we’ve created a great working environment, including a gym and shower facilities. It’s really good to see everyone back in the office.
Making the Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 listings and being included in a group of the region’s fastest growing businesses was a proud moment too.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received this year?
2022 has reinforced my view that a healthy business culture is vital. Our new Head of People and Culture Louise Roughley is helping us develop policies on recruitment, development and welfare to maintain a healthy culture where people feel valued and looked after. Richard Branson said: “Create the kind of workplace and company culture that will attract great talent,” and that’s our aim.
How has your team changed?
We’ve changed our structure to better support growth, adding to our senior leadership team by creating new roles such as Sales Director, Ops Director, Head of Security, and Head of People and Culture, to add different skills and experience that strengthen the business. We are also about to appoint a very well respected business figure to our team, to support us with strategic advice.
What have you learnt about yourself this year?
That I have strengths in areas other than finance. I enjoy helping to set the strategy and I have value to add. I realised I have endless reserves of patience and a flair for serious multitasking, looking after the financial and cultural health of the business, and simultaneously overseeing a big office move.
What’s been the most enjoyable business social event you have attended?
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum Entrepreneurial Awards. Listening to founders Sir Peter Vardy and Lorna Moran talk about their motivation for establishing the Forum and hearing them speak about the loneliness of running business resonated with me, especially coming off the back of Covid. We are responsible not just for the business but for all our team and their families too. I came away thinking that actually it’s OK to celebrate what we have achieved, and give ourselves a bit more credit.
Describe 2022 in three words…
Challenging, enjoyable, and satisfying.
What are your aims for 2023?
To continue to be loved by our clients, valued by our partners and admired by our competitors.
We are developing policies to create a level playing field and encourage more women into tech careers, as we continue to grow our team and support a range of good causes.
It’s all about showing other organisations how to use tech tools to create a modern workplace that will achieve the business outcomes they are looking for.