Pensions and SIPP consultancy Barnett Waddingham has appointed Embark Group’s Andrew Phipps as head of SIPP proposition and supplier management.

Mr Phipps will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of BW's SIPP propositions and third-party supplier relationships.

At Embark he was product owner for SIPP and SSAS business. Previously, he spent 16 years at Suffolk Life/Curtis Banks, where he was director of operations for its B2B/Simple SIPP propositions, and was subsequently head of product and proposition.

He is also a former chair of the committee of the SIPP provider trade body, the Association of Member-Directed Pension Schemes (AMPS).

In his new role, Mr Phipps will ensure BW's SIPP propositions remain competitive, compliant and aligned with Consumer Duty outcomes. His responsibilities will include managing discretionary fund manager relationships, identifying and delivering propositional enhancements, while navigating evolving legislation and regulation. He will also lead a specialist team focused on proposition development and supplier management.

Barnett Waddingham has been revamping its SIPP leadership team in recent months, including appointing new SIPP CEO Nick Cooper in August. He replaced Simon Foster ahead of his retirement later this year.

In September the firm appointed Emily Crotty as head of SIPP risk and Rebecca Smith as head of SIPP finance.

The company said the series of senior hires cements its commitment to the continued development of its cloud-based administration system, SIPP360.

Nick Cooper, CEO BW SIPP, Barnett Waddingham, said: "Andrew’s industry knowledge, track record in proposition development, and relationships across the SIPP market make him the ideal person to lead our SIPP proposition strategy. His experience as AMPS Chair and his collaborative approach to working with clients and partners will be invaluable as we continue to develop our client propositions."

Barnett Waddingham is a UK consultancy involved in risk, pensions, investment, and insurance. It has 1,790 staff, 99 of whom are partners, based across ten offices nationwide: Amersham, Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham, Glasgow, Guildford, Leeds, Liverpool, London, and Manchester. 

Barnett Waddingham was acquired by insurance intermediary and benefits firm Howden for an undisclosed sum in March.

Howden was founded in 1994 and provides insurance broking, reinsurance broking and underwriting to clients ranging from individuals to the largest multinational companies. The group operates in 55 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 20,000 people and handling $44.7bn of premium on behalf of clients.