Appointments: People’s, Isio, WTW, Hymans, Arc, IGG

The People’s Partnership, provider of The People’s Pension master trust, has appointed Jason Whyte as its new strategy director. The company said the appointment was part of its aim to become “a world-class asset owner”.

Whyte joins from PA Consulting, where he was head of the firm’s life and pensions consulting unit. Over the course of his 30-year career, he has worked on several significant projects, including contributing to the design of Nest. In his new role, People’s said he would be responsible for developing its long-term strategy as the master trust continues to grow rapidly.

Whyte said: “Pensions play a vital role in the financial well-being of the nation as a whole, and as people are asked to engage more in their own retirement, there has never been a greater need for a provider that does the right thing and is on the members’ side for the long term.”

Patrick Heath-Lay, chief executive officer at People’s Partnership, added: “Jason joins us at a time of significant growth for People’s Pension and substantial change across the pensions industry. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to shape our strategy and make a positive, long-term impact across the UK pension industry.”

Isio names new admin head

Consultancy group Isio has appointed Kevin Howard as a partner and head of pensions administration. He joins from WTW, where he spent almost eight years in senior leadership roles, most recently as managing director and head of outsourcing, responsible for the group’s pensions administration business.

Howard has more than 30 years of experience in regulated financial services, operations, and transformation, Isio said. He has previously worked for First Central and Allianz.

Isio chief executive Andrew Coles said: “We see a significant opportunity to grow our pensions administration business as demand increases for high-quality, member-focused and technology-enabled services. Kevin brings deep operational expertise, a strong track record of scaling complex businesses and extensive experience leading transformation programmes.”

Howard added: “Pension schemes are increasingly looking for partners who can deliver high-quality service, superb member outcomes alongside operational efficiency and innovation. I’m excited to join Isio at this stage of its growth and to work with the team to strengthen and expand the administration offering.”

Strange to replace Howard at WTW

Meanwhile, at WTW, Gareth Strange has stepped up to replace the departing Kevin Howard as head of its outsourcing business. He has worked at WTW for more than 20 years in a variety of roles.

In his new position, Strange will be responsible for shaping the consultancy giant’s outsourcing strategy in Great Britain, the firm said, focusing on “developing new offerings and supporting strong outcomes for pension schemes and their members”.

This part of WTW’s operations includes its pensions administration arm, which looks after more than three million pension scheme members in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Jane Murray, global head of benefits delivery and outsourcing at WTW, said Strange would “help shape new offerings and unlock opportunities for exceptional client and member outcomes”, and highlighted his digital expertise as “essential”.

Wave of promotions at Hymans Robertson…

Several staff at consultancy firm Hymans Robertson have been promoted to equity member or partner level, the company announced this week.

Alec Day, head of actuarial private, and Scott Finnie, head of digital strategy, have been promoted to equity members. The new partners are: and there have been 11 promotions to Partner.

• Iain Campbell, head of LGPS investment
• Lisa Deas, scheme actuary
• Kate Dickson, principal governance, administration and projects consultant
• Hannah English, head of defined contribution corporate consulting
• Greer Flanagan, fund actuary
• Graham Jones, scheme actuary
• George Leach, head of compliance for Hymans Robertson Investment Services
• Shani McKenzie, head of sole trustee services
• Aisling McMullan, head of risk
• Steve Moore, HR director
• Jon Russell, technical architect

Jon Hatchett, senior partner at Hymans Robertson, said: “We pride ourselves on working hard to let diversity flourish here, and this can be seen in the variety of the career paths of our new appointments. This gives me real confidence in the direction of our firm. They reflect the depth of talent, perspectives and experience that strengthen our partnership.”

… and at IGG, with 22 on the rise

Professional trustee firm Independent Governance Group (IGG) has announced 22 promotions across the business, including three new trustee directors in Chris Alford, Luke Tutt and Maria Keen.

In addition, Chris Tabersham has been promoted to associate director, while Annette Balcombe, Carolyn Ealand, Mariarosa Rossi and Richard Haslam have all been promoted to trustee manager roles.

Abigail Finegan, Elizabeth Mealing, Ellis Kewley, Harry Birch, Philippa Wilson, and Rachel Rigg are all now senior associates, since 1 April, and Craig Barth has been promoted to manager for funding and investment.

Meanwhile, IGG’s communications subsidiary Like Minds has promoted Allan McCabe to senior consultant and Lindsay Kerr and Sophie Liegho to associate consultant.

Grant Suckling, chief commercial officer at IGG, said: “As schemes navigate funding improvements, plans to run-on, run-off or buy-in, and heightened governance expectations, the need for experienced, accountable trusteeship continues to grow. It’s great to see so many colleagues developing their careers and stepping into broader roles as we continue to evolve as a business.”

Arc promotes Weber to partner

Specialist pensions law firm Arc Pensions Law has promoted legal director Kris Weber to a partner. He has more than 30 years of pensions law experience and joined Arc in January 2021.

Weber predominantly focuses on employer-related work, Arc said, including auto-enrolment, pensions projects, and pensions-related issues in corporate activity. He is involved with industry bodies including Practical Law Pensions and the Society of Pension Professionals.

Managing partner Anna Copestake said: “We are very pleased to welcome Kris to the partnership. His insight and expertise has proven invaluable over the past five years, and his promotion reflects both his significant contribution to the firm and our ongoing commitment to the development and progression of our people.”