Alistair Brannan takes leadership of EY UK pensions practice
Big Four firm EY has appointed a new head of its UK life and pensions wing. Alistair Brannan takes on the role having spent eight years with the firm.
The UK’s life and pensions sector is undergoing significant transformation, at present, driven by evolving customer needs and expectations, developments in technology, and ongoing regulatory reform. At the same time, many companies are moving to de-risk their portfolios, with UK pensions consultants expecting 2024 to be another record-breaking year for the pensions risk transfer market – having hit an estimated £50 billion in deals in 2023.
Amid this, EY’s life and pensions team works with insurance companies, banks, pension funds, private equity firms, sovereign funds and local regulators, to try and prepare its clients for the coming shifts of the sector.
Speaking on his new role at the head of the team, Brannan commented, “I am hugely excited to lead EY’s Life and Pensions team in the UK. The life insurance and pensions sector plays a critical role supporting the longer-term financial resilience of people across the country. While it is an undoubtedly challenging time, there are opportunities to be found, and I’m thrilled to be leading this team as we work with our clients to transform the sector for the better.”
Taking over the role from Martina Neary, who was recently promoted as EY’s UK insurance leader, Brannan brings 19 years of experience to the job. Based in Edinburgh, he joined EY in 2015 as a director in financial services risk consulting, before becoming the life and pensions sector leader in Scotland in 2018, and became a partner in 2021. Prior to joining EY, Alistair spent over ten years with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Neary, said of her successor, “I am delighted to see Alistair take on the position of head of life and pensions in the UK. The UK’s life insurance and pensions sector is at a pivotal moment of technology transformation and policy reform, and Alistair’s deep sector knowledge and strong client relationships will be invaluable as we support clients on this journey.”
In addition to his new role, Brannan will join EY’s UK insurance leadership team. He remains client and markets leader for EY’s financial services business in Scotland.
