Giles Payne

Summary

I have over 20 years experience in the pensions industry.  During this time I have carried out roles in administration, technical, training, consultancy and investment management. I have been responsible for relationships with companies, trustees and their consultants. These responsibilities and attending trustee meetings has given me excellent experience in dealing with a wide range of advisers for both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements.   All of this has shown me that the dynamic between trustees, employers, consultants and providers can work in very different ways - not all of them beneficial. I believe that it is important that these relationships work effectively to ensure the best outcome for the scheme and its beneficiaries.

Experience

May 1999 to Feb 2009 Legal & General Investment Management - Client Account Manager

  • Maintained and developed relationships with Corporate Pensions investment clients
  • Responsible for both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements for index tracking and active corporate bond mandates
  • Experienced in a wide range of investment management structures and strategies including Liability Driven Investments
  • Communicate clearly with investment consultants, trustees and members at all levels
  • Control the implementation of changes in strategy as efficiently and cost effectively as possible
  • Effective member of the Defined Contribution Team using extensive pensions knowledge to enhance client service
  • Maintain strong relationships with the fund managers in the Index fund and Bond teams
  • Outlined the key features for our client websites and instigated their development
  • Developing and implementing a modular Trustee training program that enabled Account Managers to strengthen client relationships

1993 - 1999 Prudential plc - Technical Trainer and Account Manager

  • Designed and implemented a formal training structure for the Corporate Pensions administration staff
  • Developed and introduced induction training program for new entrants into the Corporate Pensions administration area
  • Progressed into the Corporate Pensions Consultancy area taking on responsibility for a number of clients with a range of corporate pensions policies including both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes
  • Responsible for providing advice on corporate pension legislation, benefit design and member communication to clients

1992 - 1993 Gissings

  • Pensions Consultant to companies and trustees
  • Administration of pension arrangements

1986 - 1992 Noble Lowndes - Administration, Technical and Assistant Consultant Roles

  • Joined as a Trainee Administrator progressing to Senior Administrator in less than two years
  • Pensions Technician responsible for producing scheme documentation including basic deeds, announcements and booklets. Dealing with scheme mergers and changes of employer.
  • Trainee Pensions Consultant

Education

IMC  
1995 FPC
1982 - 1985 University of London - BSc Animal Sciences 
1976 - 1981 Winchester College, Winchester


 
 

My View

The role of Investment consultants can broadly be split into to areas - investment strategy and manager selection. In general manager selection naturally follows on from the strategy that is set by the trustees.

With detailed analysis of recommendations and subsequent monitoring of the strategy Trustees will a better chance of being sold unnecessarily complex and expensive investment solutions.

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