Ruth Ward has joined LCP as a Principal from Mercer. She brings over 16 years of de-risking experience including buy-ins and buy-outs, PPF+ cases, buy-in restructures, and M&A-driven deals. 

She joins LCP as part of a wider expansion of LCP’s longevity de-risking practice which has grown by over 10 people in the past year through internal and external joiners taking the headcount to 60 experienced individuals, which LCP believes is the largest team in the market dedicated to buy-ins/outs.  This is in response to the rapid growth in de-risking activity anticipated in 2023 due to improved buy-out funding levels.  

Clive Wellsteed, Head of LCP’s Longevity De-risking practice, commented: “We are delighted that Ruth has joined the team bringing a wealth of de-risking experience.  It is vitally important to us that we have the capacity to deliver a first-class service to our clients and so we have been growing the team in anticipation of record levels of activity in 2023.” 

“We are anticipating buy-in and buy-out volumes will exceed the record £43.8bn achieved in 2019 this year as DB schemes capitalise on improved funding levels and a shorter remaining journey to full buy-in/out.” 

Ruth added, “LCP is widely respected for completing high profile buy-in and buy-out deals, as well as their knowledge of the de-risking market and wider pensions landscape. I am excited to be joining the team as the market enters a new phase of higher activity levels.” 

“I am particularly passionate about developing cost-effective and robust solutions for the myriad of UK pension schemes, and am delighted to join a growing and ambitious team 100% focused on helping their clients grasp the best opportunities the buy-in,  buy-out and wider de-risking market has to offer.”