Pension funds in the UK are now more concerned about funding commitments than investing surpluses. Accordingly, the financial solutions group at Insight Investments – the specialist unit focused on bespoke client solutions – has recruited an expert in liability-driven investment (LDI).
Alvar Chambers, 34, joins Insight in August as a specialist portfolio manager (LDI), to focus on developing and managing LDI strategies for insurance clients. Chambers joins from Aon Consulting, where he is principal in the investment consulting practice of Aon, currently advising some 15 UK pension fund clients. He is presently chairman of the investment committee of the Association of Consulting Actuaries and a member of the Institute of Actuaries working party on liability related benchmarks and unconstrained investment. Chambers was formerly a senior investment consultant with Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow. He graduated from Warwick University in 1992 with a first class degree in mathematics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.
“Insight is committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the new challenges of a liability-driven approach to investment with a strong focus on risk management and alpha transfer, says Andrew Giles, managing director, financial solutions, at Insight. “This excellent addition to the team further extends the depth and breadth of our capabilities in LDI, derivatives and structured products. Alvar brings with him considerable technical and practical experience that will be invaluable in helping us to meet our clients’ expectations in this important and growing area.”