Punter Southall, a firm of consulting actuaries, has hired a new principal, Paul Geeson, as it launches a new division dedicated to M&A pensions consultancy.

Geeson previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he gained experience in international and UK pension transaction work. At Punter Southall he will work with Jeff Hunt, leader of the new transaction services unit. Hunt said: "Given the huge deficits emerging in pension schemes, divergent views over recognition and a reluctance to face up to the true scale of the liabilities, there has never been a more important time to seek clear and commercial advice during a corporate transaction."