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.”