Pensions industry movers and shakers w/e 20 October

Hymans Robertson appoints new head of DC investment

Pensions and risk consultancy Hymans Robertson has promoted Alison Leslie to head of defined contribution (DC) investment.

Leslie has over 25 years of experience in the pensions industry and joined Hymans in 2021 having worked with Aon for over 12 years in both defined benefit (DB) and DC consulting. 

She currently leads the master trust market for Hymans, and is a part of the Hymans Responsible Investment team and chairs the Raise the Bar Workstream of the Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group.

Paul Waters, partner and head of DC markets, said: “Since joining Hymans, Alison has brought her expertise and incredible energy to all things she has done, in particular tackling clients and members’ investment needs.  Her clients and colleagues benefit greatly from her passion for responsible investment, along with leading and developing best practice in the team. It’s an exciting time in DC and Alison’s appointment will help tackle the many challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Cartwright appoints two new administration projects specialists:

Pension adviser Cartwright has appointed Jeremy Lowe and Peter Prest as administration project specialists to the business.

Lowe has over 25 years’ experience including five years as an operations technical manager at Fidelity. He joined from WTW where he was administration manager and worked within the pensions data solutions team. Prior to this, he spent 15 years at Buck. 

Prest joins from Barnett Waddingham where he was a senior administrator. He has also held positions at both Mercer and Capita and is currently studying for a MSc in data science and financial technology with Goldsmith University, London as well as studying for an advanced diploma in retirement provision.  

Julie Yates, director of administration at Cartwright, said: “The administration market is experiencing exponential growth across the board, but increasingly in specialist project work being driven by scheme trustees. 

“At Cartwright, we have always resourced ahead of demand, and we will continue to invest in quality recruitment to add value to our team and grow in line with expected increased demand.”

Dual DC leadership at First Actuarial:

First Actuarial has appointed two co-heads of DC.

David Parfett and Lee French will work together to give strategic direction to the firm’s growing DC team. 

French joins the firm from a directorial role at Corinthian Benefits, where he was responsible for client relationships. He has previously held roles at JLT and Alexander Forbes. 

Parfett, who has been working as a DC consultant at First Actuarial for a year, previously worked at Mercer, Aon and Willis Towers Watson. 

French said: “David and I dovetail well in terms of professional experience. I bring broad experience of the employee benefits industry and David brings in-depth DC pensions expertise.”