Barnett Waddingham expands risk transfer team with senior hire

Barnett Waddingham has strengthened its bulk annuities and risk transfer team with the appointment of Oliver Ward as principal and risk transfer actuary.

Ward joins from PwC, where he spent nearly twelve years advising both sponsors and trustees of defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pension schemes.

He brings significant experience in risk transfer transactions, including advising schemes with overseas parents on navigating the UK pensions environment.

At Barnett Waddingham, Ward will support trustees and sponsors of DB schemes of varying sizes in developing and executing bespoke risk transfer solutions.

Commenting on his new role, Ward says he is "incredibly excited to be joining such a great team at what is a pivotal time in the market," noting that "clients need our help more than ever to find the right outcome for their stakeholders".

Nikhil Patel, partner at Barnett Waddingham, adds that Ward’s arrival comes as the firm continues to see strong deal activity.

He further states: "Having already completed a record number of deals in the first half of this year, and many more in the pipeline, Oliver’s experience providing strategic and transaction advice will support us through the next stage of delivering the solutions our clients require."

Ward’s appointment follows a series of senior promotions at Barnett Waddingham, including Patel’s recent promotion to partner. It also follows the firm’s acquisition by Howden, the global insurance and employee benefits intermediary.