Appointments: Opperman joins Aptia as strategic adviser

Administration provider Aptia has appointed former pensions minister Guy Opperman as a strategic adviser, tasked with supporting the firm’s growth plans across administration and consulting.

Opperman served as pensions and financial inclusion minister from 2017 to 2022, and oversaw the introduction of the master trust authorisation regime and the first iteration of collective defined contribution regulations. He also led on the Pension Schemes Bill 2019-21, which set out legislation for pensions dashboards.

His other parliamentary experience includes roles in the Home Office, Treasury, and Department for Transport. Opperman has been an adviser to master trust Smart Pension since November 2024.

Aptia’s UK president Malcolm Reynolds said: “As the UK’s longest-serving pensions minister, Guy brings unparalleled expertise and credibility to the industry. His deep understanding of the challenges posed by an ageing population – and the solutions required to address this – enables him to inspire meaningful change.

“Guy will play an integral part in helping Aptia lead the transformation of pensions administration, driving innovation and ensuring our services evolve to meet the future needs of our clients.”

Guy Opperman added: “Throughout my 14 years in public service, I’ve seen how vital it is to ensure people feel confident about all aspects of their retirement. Aptia’s dedication to shaping a pensions system that is fair, adaptable, and forward-thinking makes this an exciting opportunity to help them drive meaningful change for millions of savers.”

Separately, Aptia has named Darren Brame as global head of corporate finance. He has worked for the company since its inception at the start of 2024, and was previously chief commercial and risk officer.

Capital Cranfield adds Couchman to trustee roster

Capital Cranfield has recruited Paul Couchman as a professional trustee. Couchman joins from Ndapt, also a provider of professional trustee services.

He is a past president of the Pensions Management Institute and currently serves as a member of the Pensions Administration Standards Association’s accreditation committee. Couchman has previously held senior leadership roles at Premier (now part of Isio) and Mercer.

Harus Rai, managing director at Capital Cranfield, said Couchman’s “great trustee and wider pensions experience” would be of “immense value” to clients.

Dalriada hires for business development role

Fellow professional trustee firm Dalriada Trustees has hired Leah Butt as proposition and bids manager, a newly created role.

She joins from Cardano, part of Mercer, where she was business development manager. She has experience in bid writing, proposition building, and understanding market requirements.

Ryan Hubley, business development lead at Dalriada Trustees, said: “We are delighted that Leah is joining us during our continued growth, and her decision to join Dalriada with her background and experience further strengthens our sales and marketing credentials.”

Goss to lead Linklaters global pensions team

Linklaters partner Philip Goss has been appointed head of the law firm’s global pensions practice, succeeding Claire Petheram, who held the role for eight years.

Goss covers all areas of pensions law, and has worked on several significant derisking transactions with insurers including Rothesay, Aviva, and Pension Insurance Corporation. He also worked on the settlement of the BHS Pension Scheme with the Pensions Regulator.

Simon Branigan, Linklaters’ global head of corporate, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Claire in this role. She has done an amazing job, and we’d like to thank her for her dedication and her relentless drive and ambition for the pensions practice. I look forward to working closely with Phil as he continues to further strengthen our top pensions capabilities globally.”

People’s adds ‘social purpose’ role

The People’s Partnership, the provider of The People’s Pension master trust, has appointed Nadia Al Yafai to the newly created position of social purpose and sustainable business director.

The organisation said Al Yafai would oversee its responsible business activities, from its charitable trust to its work with external charities such as Good Things Foundation. People’s said such work was “central” to its aim to “create positive change and empower communities nationwide”.

Previously, Al Yafai led the purpose, social impact and mutuality agenda at Royal London, and she has held senior roles at several other financial and professional services organisations. She has also served on the board of the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, as well as sitting on the board of Groundwork, a charity focused on social and environmental issues.

Al Yafai said: “As a ‘Pension with Purpose’ organisation, this strategic new role recognises the importance of continuing to define, embed and evidence our social purpose even more deeply across everything we do. We want to stay true to our heritage, while pushing our purpose further than ever to ensure that our products, innovations, and activities continue to make a real difference to millions in society.”

Deborah Finlayson, chief people officer at People’s Partnership, said: “Pension providers play a central role in building long-term financial resilience for everyone, and the need for values-driven, courageous leadership has never been more important. This isn’t about paying lip service, it’s about delivering transformative products, partnerships and initiatives that will continue to be laser-focused on meeting real societal needs.”

Apollo targets DC with senior hire

Private markets asset manager Apollo has hired Legal & General’s head of defined contribution (DC) investment Jesal Mistry to lead its push into the UK DC sector.

Mistry joins in a newly created role, DC lead for the UK, as well as being appointed a managing director. He has been tasked with helping grow Apollo’s DC business in the UK and Europe, working with trustees, consultants, and platform providers.