Towers Watson has appointed three new staff in its Defined Contribution business to reflect growing demand.

Richard Sweetman has been appointed head of DC pension consulting for the Northern region including offices in Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Mr Sweetman has worked for Towers Watson for nine years and has over 20 years of experience in the pensions sector.

He will be responsible for leading a large team of DC specialists and delivering DC consultations.

Rob Walker and Michael Varma have also been appointed as senior DC consultants for the firm.

Both men have over 20 years experience in the pensions and financial sector.

Mr Walker previously worked for Barclays in their Corporate Pensions and Benefits Division while Mr Varma worked for KPMG and RSM Tenon Financial Management.

Kevin Stratford, head of DC consulting, said: “DC pension provision is a key component of most organisations’ reward packages and with auto-enrolment slated for legislation in the UK in 2012, it will become increasingly important.

“The expansion of our dedicated DC consulting team across the Northern offices reflects this and will enable us to provide our clients with the necessary advice and support at this critical time.”

Auto-enrolment is being gradually introduced for large and medium-sized firms between October 2012 and June 2013.

Employers are expected to enrol their eligible workers into a qualifying workplace scheme and make a minimum three per cent contribution towards a DC scheme.