Stoneport, the new DB pension consolidator scheme from Punter Southall, has expanded its team with the appointment of Margaret de Valois as a senior consultant, who will play a major role in driving business growth.
Margaret will advise and guide Stoneport’s clients through the consolidation process and help with new business and developing the client portfolio.
An award-winning actuary, Margaret brings to Stoneport over 20 years’ experience in the pensions industry advising clients on pension strategies. She has a track record of growing financial service firms, both as an independent consultant and as an executive leader.
Previously, Margaret has held senior roles at firms including Western Pensions, Star Actuarial Futures, Schroders and Mazars, where she was Head of Pensions and led a new team offering implementation of corporate pension solutions for small businesses. She developed Mazars’ pensions practice into a £2m business with over 300 clients.
Margaret says, “This is a dream role because it combines pensions consultancy and my passion for business development. Stoneport is a ground-breaking company offering a highly innovative consolidation solution for smaller DB schemes who want to radically reduce their running costs, regulatory pressures, and administration – this is exactly what the market needs. The company offers a modern and progressive working environment and a great team, and I am excited to be part of its growth journey.”
Richard Jones, Chief Executive, Stoneport said, “We are delighted to welcome Margaret. She is a highly talented actuary and pensions consultant, with a proven track record of building pension consultancy practices. She will be a real asset to Stoneport – looking after our clients’ needs and helping us build the business.”
Multi-talented Margaret has other strings to her bow. She is the Independent Chair of the Pensions Governance Committee at IMERYS in Cornwall, where she is based and also provides consulting services to Morgan Ash.
In her spare time, she is co-founder of Thinking Women, a broadcast magazine chat show focussing on women’s issues, and she also volunteers as a pianist for the National Trust.
About Stoneport
Stoneport is a consolidation vehicle for occupational defined benefit pension schemes in the UK with fewer than 1,000 members. It was conceived and developed by Punter Southall and will be managed by Stoneport Pensions Management Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Punter Southall. Barnett Waddingham will provide administration services plus the actuarial and investment advisory services required to operate Stoneport. Stoneport will be regulated by the Pensions Regulator, just like the small schemes it provides a solution for.
About Punter Southall
Punter Southall has been developing new ways to transform people’s financial future, since 1988. We help our clients to discover and seize the right opportunities. By listening to them and understanding their needs, we change and adapt our portfolio of companies and services to help deliver their goals. We work with pension schemes, employers, insurers, charities, and private clients to provide expertise in pensions and investments, wealth management, workplace savings, health and protection, and financial data.