Pensions expert supercharges Grant Thornton’s southern team

Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has appointed Lauren Carlyle as a partner and its new head of south region pensions.

This appointment will strengthen the firm’s national pensions team and support its continued growth, with a specific focus on the south region.

Lauren, has a particularly close connection to the South West market, as she is a member of the Pensions Management Institute (PMI) committee in Bristol, will lead a team of 25 pensions specialists based at Grant Thornton’s Reading office.

This team works with Trustees across the South of England and Wales, providing audit and other assurance services.

Prior to her new role, Lauren was director of pensions audit at a Big 4 accountancy firm. This position included significant people leadership responsibilities, which will also be a crucial aspect of her new remit at Grant Thornton.

Lauren said: “The pension market is a vibrant place and requires specialist knowledge and experience. I am really looking forward to bolstering the existing team at Grant Thornton, working with new clients and growing Grant Thornton’s presence in this sector.

“Over recent years we have seen significant changes in the reporting landscape for Trustees with the task force on climate-related financial disclosures (TCFD) requirements, as well as a new Statement of Recommended Practice (SoRP) on the horizon.

"I’m committed to further strengthening the pensions team at Grant Thornton to ensure that we can continue to provide all the advice, information and guidance that our Trustee clients require.”

Jonathan Riley, practice leader for Grant Thornton UK LLP in the South West, said: “We are all excited for Lauren to join Grant Thornton - especially at a time when the local market is so vibrant and the demand for high quality assurance is required by both Trustees and employers in the area.

"The knowledge and expertise that Lauren brings is ideal for both providing the region’s firms with the information they need as well as nurturing the skills of our pensions team across the South.”

Neil Knights, partner and head of UK Pensions, said: “Lauren’s appointment confirms our continued commitment to the pensions sector and investing in our fast-growing teams.

"She will be a real asset as we support pension scheme trustees in their scheme governance with quality audit and advisory services.

"I am certain she will help us continue to build our reputation for going beyond for our clients to deliver much greater value than a minimum compliance service, especially as Trustees begin to address the increased requirements from the new Regulators consolidated Code of Practice.

“Lauren’s achievements in her career so far will also make her a real role model to junior members of the team and help us focus on delivering a tailored assurance service that trustee’s value.”