Peter Ballard named Director by London Pensions Fund Authority
After 13 years with pensions advisory firm Willis Towers Watson, Peter Ballard has joined the London Pensions Fund Authority. The former Willis Towers Watson executive takes up the role of Director of Risk and Funding, a month after the organisation named John Preston as its new Chair.
The London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA) is a leading local government pension fund administrator. It was formed in 1989 to fill the gap left by the 1986 dissolution of the Greater London Council (GLC) in administering that body's Pension Fund. The organisation has been undergoing a number of key changes at the start of 2020.
John Preston, Chair of the Sainsbury’s defined benefit pension scheme, joined the LPFA as Chair, replacing Sir Merrick Cockell, who stepped down in December after four years in the role and nine years on the LPFA board. Now, the organisation has followed this by appointing a new Director of Risk and Funding. Peter Ballard will now take responsibility for overseeing all aspects of LPFA’s funding policy, investment strategy, and employer covenant assessment.
Ballard arrives from consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, where he spent the last 13 years as an Actuary and a Senior Consultant. In his later years with the firm, he advised across private sector defined benefit pension schemes with £200 million to £30 billion in assets. A fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Ballard is also a member of the institute’s social impact investing working party.
Commenting on the appointment, LPFA Managing Director Robert Branagh said, “Peter’s appointment will help us continue to deliver value for money, high quality customer service and meet our obligations to members and employers. We are committed to ensuring that the pension fund is effectively managed, and its services are delighted by highly motivated people who have the appropriate knowledge and expertise.”
