Specialist distributor Crystal SF has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Gareth Shilton as group strategy director.

Shilton has over 30 years of experience in financial services, having held senior roles at firms including Ocean Finance, where he was most recently CEO.

He has worked closely with Crystal in a consultancy capacity since 2019. In his role as group strategy director, Shilton will focus on identifying opportunities for business development and operational efficiencies.

Commenting on his appointment Shilton (pictured) said: “I’m thrilled to be joining at such a pivotal time in Crystal’s evolution. While the economic landscape presents its challenges, I see immense opportunity for the business to achieve greater efficiency and expansion.

“The leadership team is focused on delivering strong commercial results, and I look forward to playing my part supporting the business, ensuring that every step taken aligns with Crystal’s long-term vision and potential. It’s an exciting challenge, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Commenting on Gareth’s appointment, CEO Jo Breedon said: “We are delighted to welcome Gareth to the team at such a crucial moment in our journey. His wealth of experience at Ocean Finance and his familiarity with Crystal bring invaluable strategic insight. “