(Top left) Steven Cameron, (bottom left) Dan Thomas, and (right) Scott Wright
This week’s movers include those at Aegon, Isio, Cartwright and Northern LGPS
Steven Cameron announces retirement
11 June
Aegon's Steven Cameron has announced his retirement.
Cameron – currently a pensions director at Aegon – joined the firm in 1996 as a regulatory strategy director and become public affairs director in 2023.
At the organisation, he has responsibility for analysing and lobbying on proposed changes from regulators and government regarding pensions, savings, regulations and the provision of advice.
He also leads the firm's engagement with the Financial Conduct Authority on the advice guidance boundary review and targeted support. He is also a fellow of the Faulty of Actuaries and chair of The Investing and Saving Alliance's retirement policy committee. His last day at Aegon will be 25 June.
Cameron said: "I've hugely enjoyed my time in our industry. The world of financial services and pensions – be it government policy, regulatory interventions or industry trends – has always been fascinating and continues to be so.
"Over the years I've enjoyed grappling with pension reforms – from auto-enrolment, pension freedoms and state pension changes to the current Pension Schemes Act and the transition from defined benefit to defined contribution pensions.
"With neither government nor regulators looking like slowing down any time soon, I look forward to reading in the media about what comes next!"
By Holly Roach
Isio appoints Dan Thomas as CEO to succeed Andrew Coles
11 June
Isio has appointed Dan Thomas as its chief executive officer with effect from 1 September.
The advisory firm said Thomas will join with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning professional services, consulting, outsourcing, and growth transformation. His career has included senior leadership roles at KPMG, Dell, Huntswood and the Management Consulting Group.
Thomas succeeds Andrew Coles who is stepping back from a full-time executive role.
Isio was launched in 2020 following a £200m leveraged buyout of KPMG's pensions advisory business.
During the past five years the firm has made a series of acquisitions to diversify its proposition and bring solutions to a broader client base.
It bought Premier Pensions in 2021; acquired Deloitte UK's pensions business in 2023; completed its purchase of K3 Advisory in February last year; and announced it would buy AI-driven fintech and investment management company Collidr to boost its financial adviser offering in May.
Over the past five years, the business has substantially grown its revenue and profit – with its latest results showing group revenues of £188m and EBITDA of £54m. The firm now employs nearly 1,500 people across ten UK offices.
Commenting on the appointment, Isio chairman Chris Woodhouse said: "Dan is an outstanding appointment for Isio, combining deep professional services leadership experience with strong commercial instincts, significant private equity exposure and a modern perspective on how technology and AI will reshape advisory businesses over the coming decade. The board believes Isio has substantial growth opportunities ahead, bringing broader client offerings to the market and Dan is well placed to lead the business through this next phase."
Thomas added: "Isio is a highly respected business with exceptional clients, talented people and strong market fundamentals. The convergence of changing client expectations, technology and long-term structural shifts across pensions, employee benefits, wealth and investment management presents a significant opportunity. What attracted me most was the strength of the platform already built, alongside the opportunity to help lead the business into its next phase of growth."
Coles said: "Isio has easily been the highlight of my business career. From the early days of creating a new brand and then to establishing Isio as a leading force in the market, it's been great to have been part of the development and growth to the scale it is today. It has been hard work but hugely exciting. We have created something different and special in the market. I'm delighted to be handing over to such an excellent leader in Dan and look forward to watching Isio and its talented team flourish under his leadership as I step back from a full-time executive role."
By Jonathan Stapleton
Cartwright appoints senior pensions administrator
10 June
Cartwright Pension Trusts has appointed Scott Wright as a senior pensions administrator in its Chelmsford office.
Wright has experience working across both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes and joins the firm from First Actuarial where he was a pensions administrator. He also previously worked at Capita.
Cartwright director of pensions administration Julie Yates said: "Administration is often viewed as the engine room of a pension scheme, but it is increasingly a strategic function in its own right. Whether schemes are focused on member experience, data quality, risk transfer, regulatory compliance or long-term planning, strong administration underpins successful outcomes.
"In practice, this means administration teams are now central not only to day-to-day operations, but also to a growing range of complex projects and strategic initiatives such as pensions dashboards preparation, GMP equalisation, data improvement exercises and endgame planning - all of which rely on accurate data and strong execution. Administration provides the foundation on which trustees and advisers can make informed decisions with confidence.
"Against this backdrop, and as demand for our services continues to grow, we remain committed to investing in talented people who share our focus on delivering excellent outcomes for clients and members. Scott's experience across both DB and DC arrangements, combined with his strong technical knowledge and client-focused approach, makes him an excellent addition to the team."
Wright added: "Cartwright Pension Trusts has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality administration services and building long-term relationships with clients. I am delighted to be joining the business and look forward to working with colleagues and clients to help deliver the high standards of service for which the firm is known."
By Holly Roach
Senior leadership appointments at Northern LGPS
8 June
The newly established Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pool Northern LGPS (NLGPS) has made a series of senior appointments to expand its senior leadership team as it prepares to assume its investment management operations.
John Dewey has been appointed as chief investment officer (CIO). He joins from West Yorkshire Pension Fund where he also served as CIO. Prior to this, he was managing director of HSBC Alternatives in Singapore where he led global business development.
Sera Sadrettin has been appointed as chief operating and finance officer at the pool. She brings experience in consultancy and operational leadership in asset management and most recently was head of alternative assets operations at Fidelity International where she oversaw the global operational and financial architecture of its private markets business. In addition, she has held non-executive director positions at FIL Investment Management and executive director positions at Fidelity Investment Services.
Lorraine Solway has been appointed as chief risk officer (CRO) and joins from Octopus Money where she also served as CRO. Prior to this, she was CRO at Virgin Money and Nest and brings experience in establishing risk, governance and assurance frameworks across numerous financial services organisations.
NLGPS said the appointments would build the governance and management structure required to operate as a fully regulated pool company and follow the appointments of Elizabeth Renshaw-Ames as chair and Paras Anand as chief executive in April. The pool has around £70bn in assets under management on behalf of 870,000 members across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and West Yorkshire.
Renshaw-Ames said: "The calibre of the individuals joining us speaks to the strength of what the NLGPS pool has built over the past decade and the ambition we have for its future. We are confident this leadership team will deliver for our members, our regional partner funds and the communities we serve."
Anand added: "I would like to welcome the senior leadership team to NLGPS. They bring with them the experience, judgement and credibility expected of us to operate at the highest standards of governance and investment management. I have no doubt that together we will deliver for our members and partner funds, and continue to play a significant role in shaping how the UK pension industry develops."
By Martin Richmond
