Paul Budgen stepped down as director of business development at defined contribution master trust Smart Pension, London.
Mr. Budgen is leaving the retirement plan industry to study full time at theological college Ridley Hall in Cambridge, England, according to a post on his LinkedIn page.
Mr. Budgen joined the £2 billion ($2.4 billion) master trust in 2017. He has held a number of roles in the U.K. DC industry, including at the £24 billion National Employment Savings Trust, London.
"Paul Budgen has been a great member of the team, and has helped enormously in growing Smart Pension to its position today, servicing almost a million members in the U.K. through great technology, service and value," said Jamie Fiveash, CEO of Smart U.K. and Ireland, in an emailed statement. "We wish him all the very best in his studies, and look forward to seeing his progression in his new vocation."
A spokesman said Mr. Budgen is not being directly replaced, but "we have and are announcing a number of new senior hires in the U.K. team."
Mr. Budgen could not immediately be reached for comment.
