Appointments: PMI, Wayhome, WTW, Canada Life, People’s Pension

The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has made two appointments to its executive team as part of its ongoing strategic overhaul.

Helen Forrest Hall joins from the Pensions Regulator (TPR) as chief strategy officer, responsible for relationships with government, regulators and other relevant organisations.

At the regulator she was head of regulatory communications, overseeing TPR’s market engagement work. She previously led on policy at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association and has also worked at the Department of Work and Pensions.

The PMI has also appointed Matt Knowles as chief learning officer, responsible for the institute’s education, training and qualifications offering.

Knowles has worked in the funded and commercial education sectors for 16 years in various teaching, curriculum development and leadership roles.

The appointments come as the PMI is repositioning itself to “remain at the forefront of the industry, serving members in the best ways possible”, the institute said in a statement. It is creating new functions focused on strategy, customers and learning, as well as establishing units such as the PMI Academy and the Global Innovation Centre.

Gareth Tancred, the PMI’s chief executive officer, said: “Our organisational changes are about bringing all of our talented and capable colleagues together to advance pensions knowledge, foster industry collaboration and enhance retirement outcomes.”

Mike Weston joins Wayhome board

Experienced pension executive Mike Weston has joined the board of Wayhome, a “gradual homeownership” company.

Wayhome operates a part-buy, part rent arrangement with families and individuals to help them access the housing market. It has attracted £75m worth of investment from pension funds, a key investor audience for the company.

Weston is currently chair of trustees for the Institute of Cancer Research Pension Scheme, and has previously served as chief executive of LGPS Central and the Pensions Infrastructure Platform. He is also a former chief investment officer of the Daily Mail and General Trust’s pension scheme.

Weston said: “By leveraging pension scheme investments to assist first-time homebuyers, Wayhome has created a mutually beneficial solution for pension schemes and individuals.

“Tackling the country’s significant affordable housing issues requires joined up thinking, and I’m thrilled to be part of an initiative at the forefront of tackling this crucial challenge.”

Bhargava returns to WTW in senior role

Ashu Bhargava has joined Towers Watson as a senior director in its retirement business.

He was previously chief origination officer at Clara Pensions, the commercial defined benefit scheme consolidator.

Bhargava previously spent 16 years at Towers Watson, advising trustees and scheme sponsors. Between leaving Towers Watson and joining Clara, he worked at Legal & General as director of strategic transactions.

WTW has revived the Towers Watson brand for its consulting businesses, a spokesperson for the company said.

Maddern take on UK role at Canada Life

Canada Life has appointed Peter Maddern as managing director of retirement. The move will take effect in mid-February and is subject to regulatory approval.

Maddern has worked at Canada Life for 18 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, he was vice president of capital management at the company’s Canadian parent.

Prior to this, he spearheaded Canada Life’s bulk annuities business and has also helped develop the company’s wealth management arm.

Maddern takes over from Tom Evans, who is leaving the business to pursue a new opportunity, Canada Life said.

New distribution appointment at People’s Pension

The People’s Pension master trust has hired Stuart Reid as distribution director. He will take up the position in February.

Reid was most recently a director at fellow master trust Smart Pension, and has previously worked at Scottish Widows and Hymans Robertson.

Reid said: “It’s such an exciting time for defined contribution funds, especially those with the rapidly growing scale like The People’s Pension offers to its 6.9 million members and over 100,000 employers.”