LCP has appointed Laura Amin and Lydia Fearn as co-heads of consolidation.

The appointments represent a response to the government's policy to drive consolidation and the rapid rate of new emerging industry developments in this area. Amin, a scheme actuary and corporate adviser, is an expert at supporting sponsors and trustees in evolving their defined benefit (DB) pension strategies to reflect emerging pension policy and the developing market of DB operational and financial consolidation. Fearn sits in LCP’s defined contribution (DC) team, delivering advice to clients of all types and sizes. She has over 22 years of experience in the industry and has extensive experience working with DC consolidators, including master trusts and providers.

The Citrus Pensions Plan (Citrus) has appointed Russell Investments as an implementation partner.

The appointment follows a competitive tender process led by Citrus’ investment adviser, Hymans Robertson. Russell Investments will partner with Citrus, Hymans Robertson and ndapt, its sole trustee, to deliver a comprehensive investment strategy across a £300m investment portfolio. Russell Investments will provide Citrus with tailored access to investment managers, alongside an enhanced governance and operational framework, to implement a bespoke strategy for each section. Citrus chair of trustee, Marcus Hurd, said: “The firm has a long record of providing innovative investment solutions and services, which will benefit our members and employers. We look forward to leveraging their expertise and scale to develop the master trust further.”

Standard Life has appointed Barry Butler to its Independence Governance Committee (IGC).

Butler will oversee the interests of 2.7 million scheme members and joins the IGC following Andrew Davies’ transition to chair. Given his previous role as a Metlife director, he brings extensive financial services experience, including board expertise. Butler commented: “I am delighted to join the Standard Life IGC at such a crucial time for workplace pension savers. With consumer duty changing the game, pension reform on the government agenda and increasing focus on customer outcomes and value for money, I look forward to working with the committee to serve customers’ best interests.”

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