Isio has appointed Matthew Cooper as covenant solutions director.

Cooper joins with restructuring and covenant experience, having previously led PwC’s pension and employer covenant and restricting arm in Scotland. He is also chair of the ICAS Pensions Panel. Cooper will work in the Edinburgh office and will lead covenant advisory services with Isio partner, Paul Geeson. Commenting on the appointment, Geeson said: “Matthew is an innovative and effective adviser with extensive covenant experience advising trustees and corporates on all areas of employer covenant, restructuring and transactions.”

The Independent Governance Group (IGG) has appointed Priti Ruparelia as its new head of defined contribution (DC), taking over from Dianne Day.

Previously heading up Legal & General’s DC relationship teams, Ruparelia joined IGG in September 2023 with more than 25 years of experience. In particular, she has experience bringing a member-focused approach when working with trustees, employers, and their advisers across DC contracts, master trusts, and single trust contracts. She also previously oversaw the setup of new DC pension schemes and transitions of trust schemes to master trust arrangements. Ruparelia takes over from Dianne Day, who is returning to Australia to continue her career in governance after being a professional trustee for 17 years.

Law Debenture has announced the appointment of Sankar Mahalingham as managing director of its pensions business, replacing Vicky Paramour.

Mahalingham, who has been a member of Law Debenture’s leadership team since joining the trust in 2021 as Pegasus director, has a pensions actuary background and 25 years of experience in the industry. He also previously held roles as a cooperate advisor, scheme actuary, and investment consultant and worked as an in-house global pensions director. Mahalingham will replace Vicky Paramour, who leaves on 17 May after 10 years at Law Debenture.

---