David Barnett becomes Barnett Waddingham’s head sole trustee team

Barnett Waddingham has promoted David Barnett to lead its corporate sole trustee business. The news comes as the firm continues to grow its services, after it became part of Howden.

With around one in four pension schemes now operating under a corporate sole trustee model, Barnett Waddingham is having to change its strategic approach to this growing market. David Barnett will develop and promote propositions that are designed to deliver value, improve efficiency of governance, and strengthen trustee expertise.

David Barnett, head of corporate sole trustee, Barnett Waddingham, commented, “With around a quarter of all pension schemes operating under a corporate sole trustee model, and with this only expected to grow, I’m delighted to lead our approach and proposition in this important area. CST offers the opportunity to improve decision-making efficiency and enhance expertise, and I look forward to working in partnership with the industry to further develop best practice.”

Barnett Waddingham has been strengthened in this process, by becoming part of Howden. The acquisition, announced in March 2025, brings high quality pension and related advice capability to Howden, providing a platform for expansion in global markets. The acquisition will also double Howden’s global Employee Benefits business in terms of employees, with approximately 4,000 experts delivering combined revenue approaching £500 million around the world.

Alex Pocock, Barnett Waddingham’s managing partner for pensions and investment services, added, “The landscape of trusteeship continues to shift, and corporate sole trustee is set to define the direction of pension scheme trusteeship over the coming decade. As our integration with Howden continues, we want to work with our trustee partners to deliver the best outcomes for our mutual clients and the industry more widely. I’m pleased to confirm David Barnett in this new role; his experience and close links to the professional trustee market make him a natural fit.”

Barnett has been with the firm since 2021, when he joined from WTW to become a senior investment consultant. Looking ahead, Barnett will work to shape Barnett Waddingham’s CST proposition to meet emerging market opportunities. This includes navigating the changing regulatory and commercial landscape of trusteeship.