HR, employment law and health and safety consultancy, Howarths, has triumphed at an awards ceremony recognising the contribution family-run businesses make to the region.
The Cleckheaton-based firm, which is second-generation family run and owned, scooped the Business Services award at the inaugural Yorkshire and Humberside Family Business Awards, organised by The Family Business Community.
Commenting on the award, Gavin Howarth, managing director at Howarths, said: “The Howarths team is delighted to have won this award as we approach our 20th anniversary in business.
“My parents, Andy and Helen, founded Howarths in 2003 – without much more than a phone and a book of contacts – after they spotted a gap in the market to provide cost-effective employment law advice to small businesses. They started up in the living room of our family home.
“Fast forward almost 20 years and, today, we provide specialist HR, employment law, business immigration law and health and safety support to more than 1,000 SMEs – including brands such as Jacuzzi Group UK, Moda in Pelle, Express Bi-folding Doors and Opera North.”
In October 2021, Howarths completed its family succession plan which saw Gavin become the majority owner of the business following the purchase of the combined shareholding of his parents.
Finance director Tracey Hopkins increased her shareholding in the business and legal director Charlotte Geesin joined the company’s board of directors and took a shareholding.
Gavin added: “We are a business that has people and community at its heart. Completing our succession plan marked a significant milestone as the business continues to grow and our team advises on increasingly complex and challenging employment law, HR and health and safety scenarios for many large and established brands across the region and beyond.
“This award is extremely fitting as we’re proud to remain family-owned and have secured the future for our exceptional team and valued clients, many of whom have grown with Howarths since the business was founded.”
