Premier, the pensions, employee benefits and wealth management business, has appointed Alastair Aird as its chief executive officer to lead the firm’s plans for strategic growth.
Aird has transitioned since the start of the year from his non-executive director role at Premier, and will focus on continuing the growth of each of Premier’s trustee, wealth planning and employee benefits arms – working alongside managing director Paul Couchman. Following Aird’s appointment, executive chairman Dai Smith, has become non-executive chairman, while continuing to be actively involved with Premier’s client base and the business.
Aird has spent 16 years as a non-executive director at Premier. Outside of this role, his most recent position was global chairman of media agency Wavemaker, a division of WPP, a role he held for three years. He has held a number of other senior roles at WPP, as well as Leo Burnett and The Walt Disney Studios.
Smith says: “As a proven leader, Alastair is the ideal person to lead the company in its next phase of growth. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been involved in Premier since 2003, and understands the core values Premier upholds as a first class pensions and benefits consultancy.”
Aird says: “Making the step from non-executive director to CEO is one I have been hugely excited to make. Premier has become one of the UK’s leading pensions, employee benefits and wealth management businesses. My job now is to make sure we continue on this strong growth trajectory, whilst taking inspiration and knowledge from wider industries for what truly high-class service means to modern financial customers. I very much look forward to working with all of the 200 strong team at Premier to achieve our ambition of being recognised and respected as the outstanding company in our industry.”
