Iain Church has been appointed as operations lead for Hymans Robertson's risk transfer team
This week’s appointments included hires at Barnett Waddingham, Broadstone and Hymans Robertson
Maps appoints two to advisory group
November 3, 10:47AM
The Money and Pensions Service (Maps) has appointed Bernie Hickman and Steve Hughes to its advisory group.
Hickman is currently chief executive (CEO) at Legal & General Retail and Hughes is CEO of Coventry Building Society.
The pair join 12 other top-level executives on the group which helps ensure that Maps delivers on its vision of people making the most of their money and pensions.
Maps chair Hector Sants said: "I am delighted to welcome Bernie and Steve to the Maps advisory group. They bring with them a wealth of experience in the financial services sector and a strong commitment to the UK strategy for financial wellbeing.
"I look forward to working with them as we continue to understand, meet and address the challenges and opportunities ahead."
By Holly Roach
Barnett Waddingham hires over 60 graduates and apprentices
November 2, 12:39PM
Barnett Waddingham (BW) has hired 53 graduates and 15 apprentices as part of its early careers intake.
The graduates have been recruited into a variety of different areas including actuarial consulting, employer consulting and management and pensions administration, while 12 apprentices have joined the consultancy's pension administration team.
Senior partner Andrew Vaughan said: "We provide a vast array of opportunities at BW for those starting their career, from actuarial to administration to IT. This variety of career opportunities continues to encourage diversity into financial services through all our early career programmes.
"While taking an inclusive approach with our recruitment, we can provide a platform for the brightest and best talent from numerous fields and backgrounds to ensure multiplicity of thought. We believe our free-thinking approach gives our people the freedom to be creative and thrive in a culture built on integrity."
By Martin Richmond
Broadstone appoints pensions dashboard delivery manager
November 2, 10:23AM
Broadstone has appointed Jon Pocock as pensions dashboard delivery manager.
He joins from the Pensions Dashboards Programme where he was a senior product owner, specifically involved with the development of the programme's data standards.
In the new role, Pocock will advise schemes and trustees on the work involved with successfully delivering the dashboards programme.
Broadstone head of pensions administration Gavin Giles said: "Jon brings an incredibly deep experience of the inner workings of the pensions dashboards. This insight will be invaluable as we help schemes and trustees prepare for the challenges and opportunities this will bring."
Pocock added: "The pensions dashboard is at a critical stage in its development and schemes must now be taking immediate action so they are prepared for implementation.
"I am delighted to be returning to my consulting roots and take a hands-on role in ensuring clients have the information and advice they need to make the dashboard a roaring success. Its ability to engage and connect savers with their pensions should have a transformational impact on the sector."
By Holly Roach
Standard Life appoints managing director of retail direct
November 1, 10:31AM
Standard Life has appointed Dean Butler as managing director of retail direct, a newly created role as the firm continues to invest in its pensions and savings business.
In the role, Butler will focus on building the firm's guidance service and enhancing its pension consolidation offering for customers.
He joins from M&G where he was head of digital strategy and delivery in M&G Wealth. He also has extensive experience in wealth management and retail banking roles having worked for a number of firms including HSBC.
Standard Life managing director, pensions and savings Colin Williams said: "Dean's extensive experience and track-record when it comes to providing customer-centric services speaks for itself, and I'm delighted to have him as a member of my leadership team."
Butler added: "I am excited to start a role in which I can help ensure customers are in the best possible position to make informed decisions about their savings. This is a priority for many people as they review their finances and spending habits in a difficult economic environment, and our goal is to support customers during this period with innovative solutions and guidance."
By Holly Roach
Hymans Robertson appoints operations lead for risk transfer team
October 31, 3:13PM
Hymans Robertson has appointed Iain Church as operations lead for its risk transfer team.
The consultancy said Church would have operational responsibility for the team - which has grown to over 25 risk transfer specialists - taking ownership of everything from resourcing client projects through to knowledge sharing and people development.
Since joining Hymans in 2015, Church has specialised on risk transfer projects and has provided advice on buy-ins and buyouts for clients ranging in size from £50m up to several billion. He has taken a lead role on over 15 transactions and has helped eight pension schemes to fully insure their liabilities.
Partner and head of risk transfer James Mullins commented: "I've had the pleasure of working closely with Iain for over seven years and I know he'll do a fantastic job as operations lead for our risk transfer team.
"We created this role following the growth of our team and given the ever-increasing number of transactions on which we are leading. Iain will ensure that all of our clients have the right combination of risk transfer specialists to deliver a brilliant transaction outcome."
Church added: "I am thrilled to take on this new role to ensure our team is in the best position to deliver well-prepared and carefully managed risk transfer transactions for our clients. I will build on our experience of advising on 20% of the market last year and ensure that we continue to take a collaborative and efficient approach in the way we work with sponsoring employers and existing advisers."
By Jonathan Stapleton
