The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 17 May 2024.
The industry-wide pension scheme for the plumbing industry has appointed Stephen Graham as its new chief executive, with effect from 1 July.
Graham will take over the leadership of the Plumbing & Mechanical Services (UK) Industry Pension Scheme from Kate Yates, who is moving to Lloyds Banking Group’s pensions team having led the scheme since 2016.
Graham joined the scheme in 2017 as an employer technical support manager and was promoted to operations manager in 2019. In his new role, he will oversee the strategic direction and leadership of the scheme’s administration company and support the trustee board.
He is also a member of the Pensions Management Institute and sits on the PLSA’s DB Pensions Committee.
Mercer’s James is new investment director at NOW: Pensions
Defined contribution (DC) master trust NOW: Pensions has hired Martyn James as director of investment to oversee its £4bn investment portfolio.
He was previously at Mercer where he worked for 22 years, latterly as a partner within the consultancy’s UK DC business.
At NOW, James will be responsible for leading the investment strategy and enhancing the sustainability characteristics of the master trust’s portfolio. He will also work with NOW’s parent company Cardano to “ensure a continued alignment of Group wide investment strategy”, according to a press release.
The master trust is preparing to roll out a new investment strategy and other “enhancements” this year, and James will play a leading role in this work.
“NOW: Pensions is an innovative business, both in proposition and outlook, that continues to put members first and its new investment strategy reflects this,” James said. “With my expertise, I hope to bring unique insight to the role and help to drive better outcomes for members, while working closely with the trustee to ensure our investments align to their three core principles of climate change, living wage and gender equality.”
Chapman to lead risk transfer business at Hymans
Hymans Robertson has appointed Russell Chapman as head of investment risk transfer, a newly created role.
The company said the position reflected the importance of de-risking to its defined benefit (DB) clients and the increasing volumes of buy-in and buyout business, which often involve dealing with complex and illiquid assets.
Chapman joined Hymans Robertson in 2003 and has worked on integrated risk management, liability-driven investment and investment risk transfer.
“It’s an exciting time in risk transfer at the moment with so many DB schemes reaching the endgame and heading to whole-scheme buy-in,” Chapman said. “I’ve worked on a number of transactions over the past few years and love being able to deal with any problems that arise, helping clients with a step-by-step approach.”
Barnett Waddingham adds four managing partners
Barnett Waddingham has appointed four new managing partners with the aim of growing its reach across the pensions, risk, insurance and investment markets.
Alex Pocock has taken on leadership and strategic oversight for Barnett Waddingham’s pension scheme and investment services. He joined the company in 2004 and has advised some of the largest pension schemes in the UK, including several well-known master trusts.
Scott Eason has assumed a similar role covering other areas of Barnett Waddingham’s business, including risk, benefits, insurance and longevity consulting, along with other areas of pensions including SIPPs and SSASs. He previously led the company’s insurance and longevity consulting business for almost 10 years.
David Stoddard is now in charge of Barnett Waddingham’s “future strategy and transformation” plans, tasked with “ensuring that they remain client and colleague focused, while maintaining the impressive rate of growth”, the company said.
Sam Meldrum is responsible for designing and delivering Barnett Waddingham’s strategic business solutions and infrastructure that support its overall client offering. This includes business development, operations, finance and governance among other areas. He was previously head of IT for 17 years.
Cartwright adds two to specialist team
DB consultancy group Cartwright has hired Alex Nadolny and Danny Squire to its specialist project team.
Nadolny joins from Barnett Waddingham where he was project manager, and has previously worked at Capita as a data consultant. Squire, meanwhile, joins from First Actuarial where he was senior pensions administrator. Prior to this he was with XPS Pensions Group.
