Hymans Robertson has announced two new experienced hires to its Edinburgh office as the firm’s risk transfer team continue to grow. Catherine Thain and Christian Ah-See join the leading pensions and financial services consultancy as Risk Transfer Specialists at a time when 2024 buy-in and buy-out volumes reach record highs.

Prior to joining Hymans Robertson, Catherine has 12 years’ insurer side experience at Lloyds Banking Group, including 4 years as Actuarial Manager in the buy-in team at Scottish Widows. In her most recent role, Catherine priced and executed buy-in transactions, as well as supporting schemes on their journey to buy-out.

Christian joins Hymans Robertson from Barnett Waddingham where he started his career as a graduate. Christian has experience specialising in the unique investment concerns that DB schemes face during the risk transfer process. Christian will work alongside the Investment Risk Transfer team to ensure that pensions funds set the best investment strategy in the run-up to buy-in, including the management of illiquid assets.

Commenting on what Catherine and Christian will bring to the team, James Mullins, Partner and Head of Risk Transfer Solutions at Hymans Robertson said:

“We are delighted to welcome Catherine and Christian to the risk transfer team at Hymans Robertson and see this as a real opportunity to grow and enhance our Edinburgh risk transfer offering. Catherine has significant insurer-side experience.  Her understanding of how the market operates and knowledge of how insurers prioritise will be a great benefit to our clients.  Indeed, our clients will now benefit from over 40 years of senior insurer-side experience in the Hymans’ risk transfer team, as Catherine joins Michael Abramson, Lara Desay and Verity Hastie.

“Christian joins us to further boost our bespoke risk transfer investment expertise. This will help pension schemes to capture opportunities to save money in lower transition costs and to reduce investment risk as they complete their buy-in transactions, ensuring members are achieving the best outcomes possible.”

Commenting on her new role, Catherine added:

"Having previously worked closely together on a buy-in transaction, I was impressed by the team’s commitment to providing expert advice to both pension schemes and sponsors. I am delighted to join the Edinburgh office and I look forward to working with our clients and using my insurer-side expertise to benefit members.” 

Commenting on his new appointment, Christian says:

“I am looking forward to joining the team and expanding the risk transfer presence in Edinburgh. Coming from an investment background I hope to bring some fresh perspective to the team, and I’ll be looking to really focus in on helping schemes facing difficult investment decisions as they look to buy-in. I’m excited to get stuck in, working to ensure transactions are successful and the best outcomes are reached for members.”