Cornerstone Finance Group has appointed freelance business journalist and PR specialist Gemma Casey to lead its communications strategy as the financial services business continues to expand.
Casey (pictured) has worked across print, broadcast and digital media, beginning her career in local newspapers before moving to the Press Association and BBC Wales.
At the BBC she worked in television and radio news and current affairs, including producing BBC Radio Wales’ weekly business programme.
She subsequently spent 10 years at NatWest, where her roles included managing regional PR for the South West and Wales and supporting growing businesses through the bank’s enterprise programmes.
Casey’s most recent role was as editor of independently owned digital publication Business News Wales. She will provide Cornerstone with fractional PR and communications support.
The Cardiff-headquartered group operates across commercial finance, mortgages, commercial insurance, wealth and protection.
Turnover increased to £12.712 million in 2025 from £7.161 million in 2024. Cornerstone was also named among the Fast Growth Index UK’s Top 250 fastest-growing companies in 2025.
The business is increasing the size of its teams in Cardiff and Sheffield, while expanding its adviser network and the Cornerstone Commercial Network.
Haydn Thomas, chief executive of Cornerstone Finance Group, says: “Gemma’s experience and skills will help us refine our messaging to our colleagues, clients and networks as well as to the wider industry.
“We are a fast-growth company and we operate in a sector which is fast-paced and continually influenced by economic and geopolitical factors.
“This means we need our communications to be agile, on point and to add value to all our stakeholders.
“Across our teams we have decades of experience in financial services, and Gemma will play a key role in supporting us to harness this knowledge and share it in a way which is accessible and valuable.”
Casey adds: “I’m really looking forward to supporting this ambitious and high-achieving business with fractional PR and comms support.
“The Cornerstone team and its networks have a wealth of knowledge as well as insights which are of real value to the wider financial services sector. This is a great opportunity to support the firm to build its profile as it continues to expand and grow.”
