Ms Middleton will lead the team and has joined as a principal in the role of head of investment transitions, alongside new senior consultant Julia Falk. They join XPS from JLT Employee Benefits.

XPS has wide ranging investment pension and investment interests and owns the Xafinity SIPP business.

Ms Middleton, head of investment transitions, said: “Having worked in asset transitions for nearly 20 years, we know that effectively managing the movement of assets for our clients is a hugely important service. Julia and I are really impressed by XPS Pensions Group’s commitment to fantastic client service and we can’t wait to help with this by ensuring transitions are undertaken efficiently for our clients.”

Patrick McCoy, head of investment, said: “We are really excited to have recruited the leading investment transitions team in the market. We are committed to delivering razor sharp execution for our clients. When our clients make decisions, we will ensure they are implemented quickly and effectively, using a risk-controlled approach.”

XPS has around 300 Investment Consulting clients with over £30bn in assets. It advises over 1,200 pension schemes.