Pensions Technical Consultant

• Jun 2022 - Present

Helping GPs, Consultants & senior NHS staff make sense of their pensions, the impact of the McCloud Remedy and associated tax issues. Helping GPs, Consultants & senior NHS staff make sense of their pensions, the impact of the McCloud Remedy and associated tax issues.

Pensions Technical Consultant

• 2020 - 2022

I acted as a centre of expertise on Defined Benefit matters and complex pension issues within the company's Wealth Management practice:• I undertook complex and detailed pension modelling exercises for high-net-worth clients with substantial and sometimes multiple DB pensions and accompanying LTA issues• I audited all information provided by Defined Benefit pension schemes on which clients were seeking advice and ensured that any information gaps were correctly filled• I projected DB scheme benefits at various planned retirement ages, including any later post-retirement adjustments due to contracting out requirements.• Where appropriate, I calculated the impact of the LTA on benefits and the options offered by the scheme using the scheme's actual approach and specific LTA commutation factors• To permit accurate cash flow modelling, I provided detailed information to advisers about subsequent changes to pensions after initial crystallisation (eg adjustments to the overall amount at GMP Age or changes in the escalation splits)• I provided Transfer Value Comparators, Critical Yields and sustainable draw-down pension projections• Where a scheme had DB and DC arrangements which could be amalgamated, I projected the DC fund values and the amalgamated benefit options• I formulated an approach to the stress-testing of retirement cash flow modelling that was adopted by the Wealth Management team. Show less

Desk-based Financial Planner

• 2019 - 2020

I provided advice on potential transfer to deferred members of DB schemes as part of bulk advice exercises funded by the sponsoring employers of the schemes concerned.

Independent Financial Adviser, Paraplanner and Pension Transfer Specialist

• May 2017 - Mar 2019

• I acted as a Pension Transfer Specialist, advising clients on pension transfer and retirement planning issues • I devised a modeller used by the company to advise clients on pension Lifetime Allowance issues and how these are affected by our advice • I researched and paraplanned retirement solutions for clients • I acted as a Pension Transfer Specialist, advising clients on pension transfer and retirement planning issues • I devised a modeller used by the company to advise clients on pension Lifetime Allowance issues and how these are affected by our advice • I researched and paraplanned retirement solutions for clients

Financial Advisor

• May 2016 - May 2017

• I empowered and developed the Company’s handling of Defined Benefit transfer advice in-house and supported other staff with pensions technical advice • I designed and delivered engaging pensions seminars for millennials and small business owners • I became a member of Exeter Business Club and Chair of Devon Business Alliance, attracting referrals leading to new clients • I empowered and developed the Company’s handling of Defined Benefit transfer advice in-house and supported other staff with pensions technical advice • I designed and delivered engaging pensions seminars for millennials and small business owners • I became a member of Exeter Business Club and Chair of Devon Business Alliance, attracting referrals leading to new clients

Running my own communication training & coaching business

• 2011 - Jul 2015

My achievements include: • I designed and delivered an impactful 16-week communication skills development programme for the Met Office • I prepared and presented webinars for the International Institute of Business Analysts on impactful presenting and giving/receiving constructive feedback • I led Speakers Trust public speaking workshops for over 300 school leavers as part of the National Citizenship / Challenge Programme • I ran feedback and presentation skills workshops for employers, Toastmaster Clubs and conferences • I supported participants on the Princes Trust Team Challenge Programme to build their confidence and speaking skills • I coached individuals ranging from an IT freelancer to a trainee pastor Show less

HR Reward Consultant (pensions specialist), Director of Fujitsu UK Pension Trust Ltd & Coach

• 2006 - 2011

As a Pensions & Employee Benefits specialist, I contributed to the success of Group HR for a major global IT company. My achievements included: • I managed pensions issues around outsourcing and TUPE transfers, both Public Sector and Private Sector • I led a politically sensitive Irish pension scheme rationalisation project, winning a Company award for teamwork and persistence • I acted as the technical pensions liaison between the company’s UK based Pension Policy Committee and its Irish business. Prior to a corporate restructure, this extended to all EMEA subsidiaries’ pension arrangements • I served as Board Director of the Corporate Trustee responsible for the Fujitsu UK Pension Plan • I devised and implemented an approach for handling redundancy benefits of over £15M payable to Civil Servants who joined the Company under TUPE • I managed the successful wind-up of 5 legacy pension arrangements • I designed and delivered engaging Reward presentations for cohorts of new employees joining under TUPE • I managed the Age Equality review of complex UK pension arrangements • After training as an Executive Coach at Henley Business School, I became a designated "Fujitsu Coach", providing confidential one-to-one coaching sessions to help young graduate talent and managers enhance their performance. • I devised and ran a training workshop at a company-wide coaching conference. Show less

HR Benefits Project Manager

• 2003 - 2006

I led a strategic pensions review for a City employer with Final Salary (DB) pension liabilities. This simplified and harmonised complex pension arrangements , eliminating a deficit and reducing ongoing risk. It also included a successful transition from a self-administered company defined contribution (DC) scheme to an insured online contract-based arrangement with over 90% take-up. I led a strategic pensions review for a City employer with Final Salary (DB) pension liabilities. This simplified and harmonised complex pension arrangements , eliminating a deficit and reducing ongoing risk. It also included a successful transition from a self-administered company defined contribution (DC) scheme to an insured online contract-based arrangement with over 90% take-up.

Senior Manager (initially Manager)

• 1996 - 2003

I was head-hunted by a former manager to set up a pensions administration team in the Winchester office of this leading actuarial consultancy. I subsequently founded a specialist Risk Benefit (or Group Risk) team to advise employers on medical / healthcare, disability / income protection and life cover, as well as annuities. Using my language skills, I also contributed to a number of international projects. These related to benefit arrangements for the expatriate and Third Country National (TCN) workforces of employers such as UBS and Cartier. Show less

Consultant (initially Assistant Consultant)

• 1991 - 1996

I account managed and advised a portfolio of corporate clients with insured and self-administered pension arrangements as well as medical, disability and life cover. I account managed and advised a portfolio of corporate clients with insured and self-administered pension arrangements as well as medical, disability and life cover.

Senior Pensions Administrator (initially Administrator)

• 1988 - 1991

I administered a portfolio of final salary or defined benefit pension schemes. I administered a portfolio of final salary or defined benefit pension schemes.

Assistant Pensions Administrator

• 1987 - 1988