XPS Pensions Group (XPS) has appointed Harry Harper as head of risk transfer, the firm has revealed.

The firm says the new hire will “further build upon XPS’s capabilities to engage and assist clients in reaching their end-goal of buyout”.
 
Prior to joining XPS, Mr Harper led JLT’s buyout and buy-in team for two years and prior to that was a member of Mercer’s buyout team.

He was responsible for the UK’s first “all risks” insurance transaction, the first buyout from Pension Protection Fund assessment and the first online bulk annuity e-auction.
 
Patrick McCoy, head of advisory at XPS Pensions Group, said: “Harry is a perfect fit for XPS, with his experience of innovative bulk annuity transactions, covering multi billion pound pension schemes down to the more modest regional schemes.

“This will strengthen our offering and ability to serve the full range of pension schemes, to the very highest standard.”
 
Mr Harper said: “I am excited to join XPS, a fast growing and ambitious organisation with a clear aim of putting scheme’s interests at the very front of everything we do.

“I look forward to the opportunity to rapidly drive the pensions risk transfer industry forward.”

SIPP provider Curtis Banks Group has revealed increased profits and assets in its interim results for the six months to 30 June.

The firm increased pre-tax profits by 14% from £4.8m in 2018 to £5.4m.

Meanwhile assets under administration rose by 9.6% from £25.1bn to £27.5bn.

Other highlights included:

Operating Revenue increased by 6.7% to £24.5m (2018: £23.0m)

Interim dividend of 2.5p per share (2018: 2.0p)
 
Will Self, chief executive of Curtis Banks, said: “This is a solid set of results for the first six months of 2019 with the period under review showing an increase in our key financial metrics.

“Once again, the Group has continued to grow profitably and maintains a high proportion of quality recurring earnings which demonstrates the resilience of our business against some current headwinds in the SIPP industry and wider marketplace.

“Through initiatives to stimulate both organic and inorganic growth, as well as successfully diversifying revenues by broadening our capability to commercial property clients, we have navigated the first half of 2019 extremely well.

“I am confident and excited about our prospects for further growth.”