After transitioning to Isio, following their acquisition of Deloitte Total Reward and Benefits Limited (DTRB), I continued to support the IntelliPen pensions administration system with a focus on data and reporting. I developed a Stewardship Report that involved writing multiple SQL scripts to generate various reports, including task and SLA reporting, membership statistics, notifiable events, cashflows, forecasting, and web statistics. I used SSRS to create a paginated report that can be exported to Word, streamlining the reporting process and aligning with company standards.Recently, I have concentrated on system integrations, specifically merging legacy pension administration systems into the IntelliPen solution. This task required a thorough review of databases and the creation of hundreds of migration scripts using SQL and SSIS. I also developed reports to automate reconciliation and data checks, ensuring data integrity during large-scale migrations, which is crucial when handling millions of rows of data.

After choosing to take a break from management for personal reasons, I rediscovered my passion for systems development while supporting the Deloitte pensions administration team with IntelliPen. This role was varied, as it involved addressing system mailbox enquiries, often requiring me to analyse new issues and determine how best to assist administrators with their needs.I enjoyed learning about the IntelliPen system and exploring its capabilities to provide automated solutions for administrators. I am proficient in manipulating XML layouts to present data on the front end and writing SQL code on the back end. I am also skilled in using the IntelliCalcs engine to automate scheme calculations, a capability I have successfully applied to several schemes. With my background in pensions administration, I wasn't hesitant to dive into scheme trust deeds and rules to resolve questions about benefit calculations.Additionally, I have developed custom reports, including a pensions dashboard data validation report, and created a new common and conditional data reporting tool that runs monthly on an automatic schedule. This tool tests data against tPR requirements, producing a visual report on data quality with detailed breakdowns of pass and fail rates. While the report can be generated on demand for one or multiple schemes, the historical data from monthly runs allows administrators to track data quality trends over time and quickly address any issues. This new reporting tool has significantly improved upon the old, slow, and cumbersome data report, enhancing both efficiency and diagnostic capabilities.

I transitioned to Broadstone, following their acquisition of Quattro Pensions. In this role, I assumed overall responsibility for the systems and application support teams. My duties included leading meetings, managing workloads and pressures, and ensuring team objectives were achieved. I led projects that aligned with investor goals, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of the legacy Quattro systems to facilitate use across all offices. The PPF functionality was highly bespoke and not generally supported by off-the-shelf products that may have already been in use. I collaborated with external contractors so had to explain complex pension processes for developers, a reversal of my usual role of explaining systems processes to pensions administrators!

Where the motto was "happy staff, happy clients" this job truly felt like home. This small actuarial consultancy held its ground against industry giants, even securing a place on the PPF's Specialist Administration and Actuarial Services Panel. I stepped into the role of systems manager to manage data and processes, due to the rapid growth of the company driven by word-of-mouth from happy clients. The PPF work also grew as a wave of insolvencies brought in new business.My initial focus was to standardise data storage, as clients were using bespoke spreadsheets. I created a uniform solution while allowing for controlled, client-specific customisation. I developed a VB based solution to view and report on data, along with a suite of controls for processing. Working closely with the admin team, I delivered practical solutions that improved efficiency and minimised errors. The enhanced reporting capabilities were particularly well-received.As a hands-on manager, I gained experience in people management, overseeing a small team. I genuinely value people and was committed to developing and motivating them to achieve both their personal goals and the company’s objectives. I completed formal leadership training, learning techniques such as coaching and gaining insights into different learning styles, which helped me tailor my training delivery.I was also responsible for delivering the online member portal used by members of PPF schemes, which by association this had to comply with government digital standards. I scoped the requirements for the minimum viable product to ensure timely delivery. Thereafter, I gathered feedback from end-users, maintained a development pipeline, and worked closely with the developer to implement necessary changes on a monthly cycle, documenting each release and sharing updates with the admin team. I frequently provided demos to the PPF and addressed complex questions about the development cycle and data security.

This was a newly created role at Barnett Waddingham, aimed at establishing a new team to manage schemes within the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). It was an exciting opportunity as there were few established processes, allowing me to shape the workflows that would drive the team's success. Working for a TPA required me to quickly familiarise myself with private sector DB pension schemes and PPF rules. I became adept at independently sourcing information, whether by reviewing the scheme’s trust deeds and rules, studying the Pensions Act 2004 in detail, or conducting online research, including using Aries Insight and the PPF website.I handled all assessment period tasks, including data audits, benefit audits and reconciliations, applying cutbacks and GMP equalisation, realigning pension increases, conducting S179 valuations, and final data transfers to the PPF. As I performed these tasks, I documented the processes and submitted the scope to the development team to create more automated procedures for future use. I was also responsible for testing these developments and providing feedback.This work significantly contributed to making this one of the most profitable practice areas within the firm. We consistently received excellent feedback from the PPF, trustees, and members. As the team expanded, I focused more on implementations and bulk data projects, and was trusted to handle the implementation and programming for some of our most high-profile clients, including Kodak, Silentnight, Industry-Wide Coal, and BHS.

I deepened my experience administering the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in a more senior role. I was responsible for checking others' work and handling complex cases, such as divorces and transfers. To improve efficiency and accuracy, I quickly introduced Excel templates for calculations, replacing the previous paper-based method. I was also granted elevated system privileges, allowing me to automate calculations, create workflows and generate bespoke reports using the Axise system.Additionally, I led employee clinics to promote the LGPS, which involved traveling to different authorities within the county to deliver presentations aimed at increasing pension scheme enrolment. I also spearheaded a project to transition the office to a paperless environment. This project included scoping out the implementation process, visiting other authorities to learn from their experiences, securing a budget, and developing a detailed plan with quality control and testing measures. The project was a significant success, completed with minimal disruption to business operations. Staff greatly appreciated the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the new system, which also freed up office space and improved workplace morale.I thoroughly enjoyed the variety and opportunities this role provided, especially the exposure to systems, which sparked my interest even further.

My first foray into the wonderful world of pensions was far more than I expected from an administrative role – it was so much more! I enjoyed learning about the history of pensions and the intricacies of their calculations. During my time working on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), I handled a range of tasks, including setting up new members, updating personal details, processing leavers, retirements and deaths. My managers often commended my ability to quickly grasp the work and consistently maintained accuracy. I made such good progress with my own workload that I managed to also clear a backlog of unprocessed cases.