Murray Smith

Senior SIPP and SSAS specialist with more than 20 years' experience across pension administration, technical pensions support, operational management, commercial property investment, and regulatory oversight.

Currently

Head of Property at Barnett Waddingham with responsibility for leading a specialist administration team, overseeing operational delivery, managing risk and governance controls, and providing technical guidance across complex SIPP and SSAS property matters. Extensive experience supporting clients, advisers, and colleagues on technical pensions legislation, pension investments, benefit crystallisation matters, transfers, and commercial property transactions. Proven ability to lead teams, improve operational processes, and deliver high standards of customer service within regulated environments.

Head of Property - Barnett Waddingham - Glasgow

(2015-11)

Lead the operational delivery of the SIPP property business line, managing a specialist team of 14 staff and supporting a substantial portfolio of commercial property investments held within pension schemes.

• Responsible for day-to-day operational management of the Property Team, including leadership, technical guidance, workload management, appraisals, training, and staff development.
• Built and developed the Property Team, including recruitment, workflow creation, process integration, and technical training.
• Provide technical support and guidance to colleagues, advisers, solicitors, surveyors, and clients on complex pension and property-related matters.
• Member of internal Technical Committee providing specialist support across DB and DC pension arrangements.
• Responsible for identifying and implementing process improvements to improve operational efficiency and customer outcomes.
• Managed projects relating to regulatory change, operational backlogs, and service improvements.
• Review and interpret changes in pensions and property legislation and implement corresponding operational updates.
• Liaise directly with HMRC regarding complex technical and operational matters.
• Produce regular MI reporting covering team performance, transaction activity, operational risk, and service delivery.
• Manage relationships with third-party providers including solicitors, lenders, surveyors, insurers, and property professionals.
• Draft technical guidance, internal communications, and training materials.
• Delivered training sessions on technical pensions and property subjects to colleagues and stakeholders.

Technical Property Specialist – Pensions - Hornbuckle Mitchell Trustees Ltd - Edinburgh

(2006 - 2015)

Subject matter expert for SIPP and SSAS commercial property transactions and ongoing administration.

• Reviewed and approved SIPP and SSAS property purchases, sales, transfers, borrowing arrangements, and in-specie transactions.
• Supported administration teams with technical pensions and property guidance across complex cases.
• Assisted advisers and clients with pension legislation queries and technical investment matters.
• Designed and implemented workflows, checklists, and operational procedures across property administration functions.
• Drafted client-facing literature, technical guides, standard letters, and process documentation.
• Supervised, checked, and audited colleague output to ensure quality and compliance standards were maintained.
• Delivered technical training on procedures, legislative updates, and operational processes.
• Supported systems development and operational improvement projects.
• Investigated and resolved pension complaints in line with FCA requirements and internal procedures.

SSAS Administrator & Database Supervisor - Hazell Carr - Stirling

(2002 - 2006)

Administered portfolios of SSAS arrangements covering money purchase and hybrid/final salary schemes.

• Processed ongoing administration including contributions, transfers, reporting, and scheme updates.
• Produced triennial actuarial reports and maximum funding calculations.
• Assisted with systems testing, data migration, and operational reporting improvements.
• Developed Crystal Reports for SIPP and SSAS reporting and data integrity analysis.
• Worked within strict service standards while maintaining high levels of accuracy and efficiency.

Membership Coordinator & Database Administrator - Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - Edinburgh

(1999 - 2002)

• Managed communications for a membership base of approximately 14,000 members.
• Designed and implemented a corporate membership scheme.
• Produced management and board-level reporting.
• Also held responsibilities as Network Supervisor and Website Administrator.

HND - Computer Science

HND - Applied Physics & Micro-Computing

Relational Databases - Open University

Philosophy and the Human Situation - Open University

Introduction to the Humanities - Open University