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Anyone who has known David Farrar in his 7 years as senior policy manager for the DWP will wish him well as he joins Nest to work on climate change, responsible investment and other evolving policy areas.

His DWP occupational pensions policy work has covered consultations and other key initiatives in relation to climate change and ESG, charges, transaction costs, decumulation and pensions freedoms, transfers and investment strategy.

And he has been a regular spokesperson  on DC pensions for the DWP, speaking out on the full disclosure of cost and charges and promoting better member outcomes.

This article I wrote on him in 2017 gives a sense of the man

Last night, a group of his friends met at the Two Chairmen in Westminster to enjoy a beer or two on David. It was a joyous occasion for us, this being the first time most of us had met for 18 months. It was very generous of him.

David had created biographies for each of his guests which he was happy to share on request. With characteristic wit, David captured the essence of our relationship over the years.

Sadly this document is not for sharing and will remain like Jackie Charlton’s little black book, a matter of legend. As will David at the DWP.

It will be interesting to see how David progresses Nest’s thinking and its public profile. I suspect that he will succeed because of his unwavering optimism and faith in people he trusts. I am very glad that I appear to be among that group.

As such I give him my unwavering support going forward. David is one of the few people capable of making a difference. He did so in his work on pensions at DWP and latterly his insistence on the adoption of TCFD reporting.

David now has the opportunity to take this agenda forward in practice.

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