Lifestyle Article - BW appoints new Actuarial Consulting Business Area Leader

 BW is a leading actuarial consultant in the Defined Benefit (DB) pensions market with 150 qualified actuaries who are appointed to over 495 DB pension schemes, some of which have been clients for over 30 years. BW provides tailored services to scheme trustees, across all its nine offices, with fund sizes ranging from £1 million to over £6 billion.
 
 Ruth Thomas took over as Actuarial Consulting Business Area Leader from 1 June 2022. Ruth joined BW in 2008 and has a wealth of experience as a Scheme Actuary in successfully helping trustees navigate the complexities of DB pension schemes. She is also a member of BW’s Professional Risk and Compliance Committee and leads the firm’s QAS team.
 
 Ruth replaces Paul Houghton who steps down after five years as the Actuarial Consulting Business Area Leader. Paul will continue as a Partner at BW.
 
 Alex Pocock, Managing Partner (Interim) at BW, said: “We take immense pride in the actuarial services and advice that we provide to our significant number of pension scheme clients. Delivering exceptional consultancy advice remains important as many DB schemes draw closer to their endgame.

 “Under Ruth’s leadership and vision, we will continue to invest in all facets of our actuarial consulting services and team. With our leading technology and actuarial skills, we will continue to improve and expand the services we provide to pension schemes, and into new areas for BW.”
 
 Ruth Thomas, Head of Actuarial Consulting at BW, said: “I am taking over a highly successful business area from Paul and I am looking forward to continuing the upwards trajectory he has set for us. There are two main priorities for me as I take on this new opportunity. The first is to continue to offer exceptional service to our clients, and cement BW as the go-to advisers in actuarial consulting for DB schemes - whether they are large schemes, open schemes, schemes focused on longer-term efficient running or those schemes moving towards their endgame.
 
 “The second is a focus on our people, who are key to our success as a business. As a leading consultancy it is important we carve out a rewarding career path for our people in DB pensions and beyond. We have a depth of consulting and actuarial expertise throughout the team, and I want to ensure we continue to invest in and develop their skills. I look forward to supporting my team as we embrace the changes in the DB pensions industry for BW and for our clients.”