Meet the Team
Directors / Senior Management
Colin Howell – Director & Co Owner
Colin started the company, originally No Longer Limited, in 2001 along with Alan. He is a qualified accountant and initially comes from a practice background, so has a wealth of experience in financial management and tax expertise. He is jointly responsible for the strategic direction and running of the company and oversees the Finance, Sales and Compliance functions of the business.
When originally starting No Longer Limited, Colin did so with the consciousness that freelancer contractors needed a more transparent and compliant accountancy service, which would meet the need of all types of contractors, and Crystal strives to achieve this.
As experts on how legislation affects the contracting industry, we are proud to say that we are a Founder affiliate member of the Association of Employment Management Companies (AEMC).
Alan Little – Director & Co Owner
Alan has a wealth of experience in contracting; systems analyst by trade and qualification, and with unsurpassed experienced within the IT and Telecommunications industry. Alongside Colin he also assumes the responsibility for both the strategic direction and smooth running of the business. He oversees the Client services, Information Technology and Marketing functions of the business.
As a former contractor himself Alan is dedicated to ensuring that the needs of contractors are always at the forefront of everything Crystal Umbrella does, and he takes an active part in the management of the Service Delivery and Customer service elements of the business.
As an expert in customer service and understanding his customers expectations Alan demands the best from his employees and always strives to develop new internal initiatives to ensure that they hold the same ethos and principles.
Donna Duckworth – General Manager
Donna joined the company in 2006 as part of the company’s strategic expansion plans. Her wealth of experience in large corporate and smaller start-up companies undergoing transformational change and growth, are instrumental in driving the business forward. Working alongside the rest of the senior team, Donna plays a major role in the businesses commercial and future strategy.
One of the main functions of Donna’s role is to oversee the daily operations of the business and is responsible for Client Services, IT, Sales, Marketing, and all company wide change, strategic and operational projects. Donna is trained in Project, Change and Operational management and holds a Masters in Business Administration degree (MBA).
Phil Benson – Head of Finance
Phil joined the company in 2005 and runs the accounting and finance functions of the business. Coming from his own practice to help set-up the financial operating side of No Longer Limited, he has a broad range of experiences that cover audit, accounting, tax and corporate finance.
Phil also plays a major strategic role within the business along side the other senior team members ensuring that Crystal is always at the forefront of contractor payment processing, and maintaining its compliance with HMRC at all times with specifically tailored transparent solutions.
He is a fully qualified accountant and oversees a team of experienced and expert payroll and tax advisors that are always on hand to help.
Helen O'Hanlon – Head of Human Resources
Helen started working originally with No Longer Limited as an external consultant in 2005. She joined as Head of Human Resources shortly after in 2006. Helen has overall responsibility for all aspects of HR and provides help and advice for both Crystal’s internal and external employees.
As a chartered CIPD she has over 15 years of experience, and is committed to developing family friendly policies for contractors and working with agencies in partnership to assist them in making sure business runs smoothly without jeopardising employer obligations.
Crystal encourages and practices equal opportunities and diversity throughout our Client Contact and new business centres and company as a whole at all times.