Secrets of success: Andy Davison, pensions and benefits manager, BDO Services

How did you end up in your current role?

Having done 22 years in occupational pensions at L&G and Capgemini, I was made redundant from my last role around three and a half years ago, and decided I wanted to go into voluntary benefits. 

Having seen the turn of the tide from final salary arrangements to defined contribution and group personal pensions, and the subsequent responsibilities moving from the employer to the employee, it had lost some of its appeal to me, so I wanted to do something different but still have a hand in things that I knew. 

When I saw the benefits manager role at BDO come up I went for it. Despite my previous experience being solely in pensions and risk benefits, the voluntary benefits side of the job would be new to me, but it has been great to learn all about them and I enjoy getting to meet and work with so many people doing jobs they are passionate about. 

What gives you the biggest sense of achievement in your role?

It’s when I hear people discussing our benefit offering because of communications that they have seen, like posters around the office, or attending our benefits roadshows – that really gives me a buzz.

They say “no publicity is bad publicity”, I feel the same with engagement. If people are talking about it, even if they are saying “well I already knew that”, it might prompt further engagement and discussion for someone who didn’t know. So for me, employee engagement is one of the most important aspects of my role and the thing that I like the most about it. 

What do you think is the next big issue in HR?

Financial wellbeing is definitely the next big thing. An employee’s Health and Wellbeing is very important to employers and this will not change in the future. Financial wellbeing is the next natural offering to complement any already established health and wellbeing strategy.

I believe that all employers have a moral obligation to provide their employees with the tools to enable them to take control of their personal finances. Whilst graduates or apprentices may not know much about the property ladder or understand how credit ratings work, there will be a range of employees who would benefit from understanding more about personal finance. Financial wellbeing is therefore becoming a very important issue, benefiting everyone in some way.  

How do you switch off from work at the weekends?

Rugby is my passion. I coach my son’s team and I still play second team level on a weekly basis, and if I’m not playing it, I’m watching it.