Hymans Robertson, Standard Life, Pictet
Hymans Robertson – Lauren Branney has been appointed as head of collective defined contribution (CDC).
In her new role, Branney will lead the continued development of Hymans Robertson’s CDC proposition. She will work with clients to explore and implement CDC arrangements and other collective retirement savings.
Alongside this, the firm’s senior partner, Jon Hatchett has obtained a CDC Scheme Actuary Practising Certificate. This makes him one of a small number of actuaries in the UK qualified to act as CDC scheme actuary, further strengthening the leading pensions and financial services firm’s CDC capabilities.
Branney joined Hymans Robertson in 2020 as part of the firm’s defined benefit (DB) actuarial team and is a senior actuarial consultant, advising a range of scheme trustees and sponsors. She has played a key role in developing the firm’s CDC proposition, with strong thought leadership involvement and engagement with policymakers.
Standard Life – The firm has appointed Emma Furlonger as managing director of its workplace and retail intermediary businesses. She has led the businesses on an interim basis since April 2026, following Gail Izat’s appointment as chief operating officer for its pensions and savings business.
Furlonger has nearly 30 years of experience in the pensions and long-term savings industry, spanning workplace pensions, intermediary distribution, client relationships and business growth. She joined Standard Life in 2021 as head of DC workplace distribution before becoming workplace trading director in 2025.
Pictet Asset Management – The firm has announced the appointment of Alfred Le Léon, who joins as head of ETF distribution, EMEA, a newly created role following the recent launch of Pictet AM’s first ETFs in the European market.
Le Léon joins from JP Morgan, where he spent almost eight years as head of ETF distribution for France, Benelux and French-speaking Switzerland. He began his career in 2010 as an ETF specialist at HSBC and Deutsche Bank.
On 1 July 2026, Pictet AM launched its first European range of AI Enhanced Equity Index Active ETFs.
