APTIA APPOINTS STEVE DEVERELL-SMITH TO LEAD CLIENT CONSULTING
Aptia has appointed Steve Deverell-Smith as Head of Client Consulting, as the pensions services group continues to expand its advisory capabilities following a recent acquisition.
Deverell-Smith brings more than two decades of experience in pensions consultancy, advising trustees and corporate sponsors on a broad range of strategic, actuarial and operational issues. He joins Aptia from Law Debenture, where he served as a Professional Trustee. He has previously held senior roles at First Actuarial, WTW and Barnett Waddingham.
The appointment follows Aptia’s acquisition of Atkin Pensions in November, a move that broadened the firm’s ability to offer bundled pensions consulting and actuarial services to small and medium-sized UK pension schemes. The deal reflects growing demand among trustees and sponsors for more integrated advice as regulatory scrutiny, cost pressures and long-term sustainability challenges intensify across the pensions landscape.
In his new role, Deverell-Smith will work closely with Aptia’s clients, advising trustees and sponsors on pensions-related matters with a focus on long-term sustainability and fairness for scheme members. He will work alongside Stuart Heatley, who was appointed Consulting Leader last month, as the firm develops its consulting and actuarial services proposition.
Stuart Heatley, Consulting Leader at Aptia, said: ‘I am very pleased Steve has made the decision to join us at this exciting time. His extensive experience and deep industry knowledge will help to further strengthen our ability to deliver a truly integrated suite of solutions – combining administration, actuarial, investment, and consulting expertise – to meet the evolving needs of our clients.’
Deverell-Smith said the role offered an opportunity to help shape the next phase of Aptia’s consulting strategy as client priorities evolve.
Steve Deverell-Smith said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining Aptia at such an exciting stage in its growth. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a new consulting proposition that truly meets the changing priorities of Aptia’s clients. I look forward to partnering with trustees and sponsors to deliver innovative solutions and better outcomes for pension schemes and their members.’
The appointment underlines Aptia’s ambition to position itself as a full-service pensions partner for UK schemes, combining administration, consulting and actuarial expertise at a time of heightened complexity for the sector.
