The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 11 September 2026.
Canada Life has hired Dominic Moret as managing director in its bulk annuities team as it aims to grow this part of its business. The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.
He joins from Legal & General (L&G) where he was head of origination and execution, leading the company’s significant growth in the bulk annuity sector. At Canada Life, Moret will set strategy and target growth as the insurer seeks to make inroads into the market.
Emma Watkins, Canada Life UK’s chief executive, said Moret “brings exceptional leadership and deep market experience, positioning us to accelerate our bulk annuity strategy and scale for the future”. She added that the hire was “a real step change in Canada Life’s ambition” in the market as it aims to bring on board more schemes.
Moret said he aimed to “build on the progress already made and take the business to its next phase”, adding: “That means combining commercial ambition with a relentless focus on the experience we deliver to pension scheme members and trustees, and building on solid foundations to further develop our capabilities and build stronger, long-term relationships with pension schemes and their advisers.”
Cutts to replace Moret at L&G
Meanwhile, L&G has appointed Rachel Cutts to replace Moret as head of origination and execution within its Institutional Retirement business.
She has worked for the financial services giant for nine years, most recently as chief of staff for Gareth Mee, chief executive of the institutional business. Cutts has also worked as execution director, leading on complex bulk annuity transactions.
John Towner, managing director for pension risk transfer at L&G, said Cutts’ appointment “reflects the strength of talent within our business and the strong reputation she has built across the market over many years”.
“Her leadership will help ensure we continue to deliver the high standards of service, responsiveness and support that clients value from L&G, while maintaining our focus on positive outcomes for members,” Towner added.
Cutts said: “As the pension risk transfer market continues to grow and becomes increasingly sophisticated, clients are looking for a partner that can deliver expertise, certainty and a seamless experience throughout the initial buy-in transaction, the journey to buyout and beyond.
“Over my nine years at L&G, I’ve seen first-hand the strength of our team and the value of combining market-leading execution with long-term support for clients and pension scheme members. I’m looking forward to leading the Origination and Execution team and building on that strong foundation.”
New leadership at Dalriada
Shehzad Ahmad has been appointed as principal executive director at professional trustee firm Dalriada Trustees. He took over officially at the start of this month.
Ahmad has worked at Dalriada since 2023 and is head of sole trusteeship. He previously worked at Ross Trustees – now Independent Governance Group – and the Pension Protection Fund.
Bill Galvin, chief executive of Dalriada’s parent company 3173 Group, said: “On the back of a very strong year for Dalriada, and looking forward to another year of significant growth and development, it’s the right time for Shaz to step into this hugely important role.”
Ahmad added: “It is a privilege to work with a great team that drives its purpose from delivering excellence in trusteeship, governance and pensions management, which remains core to what we do.”
IGG adds lawyer to trustee roster
Independent Governance Group (IGG) has recruited Andrew McIlhinney as a trustee director. He joins from law firm DLA Piper, where he was a partner in the firm’s Leeds office and led its Yorkshire pensions practice.
McIlhinney has advised trustees and corporates on all aspects of pensions law throughout his career and is a longstanding member of the Association of Pension Lawyers.
In a press release, IGG said the appointment reflected “growing client demand for professional trustees with legal expertise”, with the company’s recent research finding that 62% of corporate decision-makers were concerned about increasing pressure from pension-related responsibilities – with future legal or regulatory change the most commonly cited burden.
McIlhinney said: “Buyout is no longer the automatic destination it once was, and the rules governing what schemes can do with a stronger funding position are still being written. Much of that comes down to the detail of each scheme’s own deed and rules, alongside regulation and legislation, which is where I have spent most of my career.”
Branney to lead Hymans’ CDC practice
Consultancy group Hymans Robertson has appointed Lauren Branney as head of collective defined contribution (CDC) as providers begin to apply to the Pensions Regulator for permission to operate the new structure.
Hymans advised Arboreum Pensions, backed by UK employers Timpsons and Vestey, on its CDC scheme, which was made public this week.
In her new role, Hymans Robertson said Branney would lead the development of the consultancy’s services in the CDC space. She joined the company in 2020 in its defined benefit team.
In addition, the company announced that senior partner Jon Hatchett has obtained a CDC Scheme Actuary Practising Certificate, one of only a few people to have achieved this qualification to date.
Branney said: “CDC has the potential to transform retirement outcomes by allowing members to benefit from scale, longevity pooling and smoothing investment risk over time. By managing key retirement risks collectively, CDC can provide a more efficient means of generating sustainable retirement incomes than many individuals can achieve on their own.”
Wilmot takes over covenant team at Aon
Aon has appointed Alice Wilmot to lead its employer covenant team within its UK retirement arm. She succeeds Alex Beecraft, who will remain with the company and continue to support existing clients as well as taking on other responsibilities, Aon said in a statement.
Wilmot joined Aon’s covenant team in 2024 and has advised trustees and corporates on covenant issues for more than 13 years, including a secondment to the Pension Regulator’s anti-avoidance team in 2018.
Wilmot said: “Employer covenant remains a critical pillar of trustee and corporate decision-making. I’m really looking forward to taking on the leadership of our high-calibre team as we continue to provide integrated covenant advice that genuinely adds value in this always evolving pensions landscape.
“Our team has grown over the last three years while adapting to significant regulatory change. I am therefore excited to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the leadership of the team.”
Squire adds May to Manchester team
Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has added Helen May to its Manchester team as a director. She returns to the company from Eversheds Sutherland, having previously worked at Squire Patton Boggs – where she qualified as a lawyer – for 12 years.
Matthew Giles, head of the Pensions Practice Group at Squire Patton Boggs, said: “Demand for pensions advice continues to grow, and Helen’s appointment further strengthens our impressive team in Manchester. Her technical capability, sector knowledge and longstanding relationships with colleagues across the firm will be invaluable as we continue to support clients on their most complex pensions matters.”
May’s appointment follows several other senior lawyer hires for the firm, including Small and Alison White in Manchester and Gemma Hanley in Leeds.
