Goddard sets up new consultancy venture for life after PFS

Outgoing Personal Financial Society (PFS) chief executive Fay Goddard has set up a consultancy firm with her partner, former Aegon head of industry development Peter Williams.

Williams Goddard Consulting was set up last year, although Goddard (pictured) has not done any work for the company while serving as the PFS chief executive, a position she will step down from in April.

‘I have always said I will continue to be active in the market,’ said Goddard. ‘If the right project comes up, I will do some work for Williams Goddard Consulting.’

Williams, who is also a non-executive director of IFA network Beaufort Group, has already worked with the Money Advice Service and lobbyists The City UK, which is headed by former Association of Independent Financial Advisers (Aifa) director general Chris Cummings.

The firm plans to work with insurers, fund management firms, regulators and advisers. Williams said Goddard’s added experience would be a boost. ‘Between the two of us, we probably wear two of the best policy hats in the industry,’ he said.

Goddard was previously policy director and deputy director general of Aifa. She has also sat on the European Financial Planning Association board and has been governor of the Pensions Policy Institute.

She announced her intention to retire from the PFS in November 2012. Keith Richards, former Tenet director of distribution and development, will take up the role of chief executive in April.