The latest hires, promotions and appointments for the week ending 28 February 2025.
Hymans Robertson has appointed Tom Hoare as head of Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) valuations.
The appointment comes as LGPS funds across England and Wales prepare for their next triennial valuation cycle as of 31 March 2025.
Hoare has worked at Hymans in the LGPS team for more than 10 years since joining as a graduate in 2014. Most recently he was a senior actuarial consultant and is an actuary to several LGPS funds.
Hoare said: “The LGPS is in a very strong funding position, and for many funds, decisions made during the 2025 valuation will be key to achieving their objectives and successfully navigating the road ahead.
“In the coming months, many funds will be focusing on their long-term strategy and looking to strike the right balance of managing risks and taking opportunities. Having a robust long-term strategy in place will help to maintain focus and ensure Funds achieve their goals and deliver the best outcomes for all stakeholders.”
Rob Bilton, head of LGPS actuarial at Hymans Robertson, added that Hoare’s experience would be “central” to the team’s success.
“The 2025 valuation poses different questions and challenges from the last,” Bilton said.
“Since the last valuation in 2022, the economic environment has changed, with many funds reporting improved funding positions. This presents an array of options around employer contribution rates and investment strategy, allowing the LGPS to continue its successful delivery of outcomes for members, employers and the wider UK.”
LCP names consolidation leaders
Consultancy group LCP has appointed Laura Amin and Lydia Fearn as co-heads of pensions consolidation.
The new position was a response to the government’s consolidation policy, LCP said, as well as the rise of commercial consolidators in the defined benefit sector.
Amin is a scheme actuary while Fearn is part of LCP’s defined contribution team. They are both partners at the firm.
Amin said: “Consolidation is now at the heart of the government’s growth agenda…
“While the focus of traditional consolidation has largely been on the insurance market via pensioner buy-ins, industry developments – like the recent Wates transfer to Clara – suggest a growing field of alternative consolidation options.
“The upcoming superfund legislation and anticipated collective defined contribution (CDC) regulation in this year’s Pensions Bill indicate that we’re only at the beginning of a major transformation in pensions consolidation.”
This week, LCP also announced the appointment of Gavin Smith as a principal in the firm’s actuarial and risk transfer teams. He joins from Legal & General where he was financial risk director.
Towers Watson boost Scotland offices with senior hires
WTW’s consulting unit Towers Watson has hired Keith McInally and Heather Meighan to its Scottish retirement team.
McInally joins from Abrdn where he was a member of its solutions team, working with pension schemes to build investment strategies. At Towers Watson he is a director in the retirement team, based in Edinburgh.
McInally has a particular focus on CDC as he chairs the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ CDC working party and the Society of Pension Professionals’ CDC group.
Meighan is Towers Watson’s new head of growth and client management. She joins from Hymans Robertson where she was a partner.
Squire Patton Boggs names partner in London team
Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has made director Simon James a partner in its pensions practice with effect from 1 May.
James has worked at the law firm since 2010 when he joined as a trainee. He qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and has advised trustees and employers across the public and private sectors. He also worked on the Royal Mail’s CDC plan, which launched in October last year.
Sackers strengthens business development team
Pensions specialist law firm Sackers has brought in two new additions to its business development team.
Charlotte Bracken joins as a senior business development manager. She was previously head of marketing at Independent Governance Group.
Max Berlevy joins as a senior business development executive from staffing group Phaidon International, where he was a bids leader.
