Leadership bios

Manoj Sharma,
Chief Operating Officer (COO), Managing Director, International

Manoj holds major responsibility for Buck's achievement of ongoing global growth and financial performance goals. As COO, Manoj is responsible for all aspects of Buck's internal operations related to cost management, efficiency, and optimisation. He assists the CEO in setting and executing strategy. In addition, Manoj has the P&L responsibility for Buck's non-consulting business units (healthcare spending account and benefits administration) as well as all international geographies. Manoj has expertise in employee benefits and administration, HR services, strategic planning and execution, and business process improvement. Manoj joined Buck after serving as COO at Willis North America Employee Benefits, a division of Willis Group Holdings (WSH), where he was responsible for operations and technology initiatives as well as strategic planning to drive revenue growth. He was co-founder of Sunaro, a software-as-a-service benefits technology firm, which was acquired by Willis. His previous roles also include: Founding Partner and Managing Director of CyberStarts, Inc., a venture holding company; Senior Director, Financial Services Practice Group, with iXL, Inc., an e-business consultant; Senior Consultant, Strategic Services Division, with Accenture; and senior engineer and project manager with Shannon & Wilson, Inc. His academic credentials include an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Fraser Smart
Managing Director, Europe

As the Managing Director of Buck in Europe, Fraser has overall responsibility for the evolution of our European business through best practice processes and imaginative thought leadership. Previously he managed Buck's Edinburgh and Manchester offices upon joining Buck in 2006. With more than 20 years' of industry experience, Fraser is the consulting actuary for several of Buck's major UK corporate clients. He advises on all aspects of pension provision and has introduced a number of tools to help clients more effectively manage their pension arrangements. Fraser frequently speaks at industry conferences, is regularly quoted in the media, and has been a lead examiner for the actuarial profession. He is a graduate of Edinburgh University and a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Linda Daw
Head of UK Communication

Linda leads Buck's UK Communication practice, heading up the London team. She specialises in the development of strategic communication campaigns to help clients address a wide array of issues in human resources, benefits, and organisational change, including pensions, share plans, health and productivity, education, total rewards, change management, branding, employee listening, and communications. Prior to joining Buck, Linda was a communication consultant at another benefits firm where she assisted clients with complex HR communication programmes. More recently she ran her own communication consultancy. Linda graduated with a BA in English and Media Studies and is a qualified member of the International Association of Business Communicators.

Philip Smith
Head of Defined Contribution and Wealth

Philip is responsible for the Defined Contribution and Wealth practice where he brings a wide range of experience in defined contribution (DC) pension design, as well as expertise in the areas of group life, disability, and related benefits. He joined Buck in January 2001 and has particular expertise in implementing bundled DC pension solutions and has extensive knowledge of the major providers' DC pension products. Philip graduated from the University of Kent in 1985 and spent 14 years in a variety of consulting roles with a national benefits consultancy, including sales and marketing for Friends Provident.

Mark Stocker
Head of Actuarial

With 28 years pensions consulting experience, Mark leads Buck's Retirement practice and is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. He is a leading contributor to the UK actuarial profession as a member of the Council of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and has considerable experience providing advice on all aspects of pensions and acting as Scheme Actuary to a wide range of schemes. As well as his background as a trustee adviser, Mark provides advice to companies in connection with their pension schemes. This includes M&As, dealing with the Pensions Regulator, and scheme redesign. The insight given by these experiences is extremely valuable when entering into discussions with employers, helping trustees conduct their responsibilities in a constructive and pragmatic way.

Steven White
Managing Director, Global Investment Advisors

Steven is responsible for developing Buck's Global Investment Consulting business, integrating and enhancing resources across the US, UK, Canada, and other countries to provide innovative investment solutions to a wide range of clients. Steven joined Buck Consultants in September 2005 as head of Buck's UK investment consulting team, managing a small group of analysts and consultants. This team has since grown to be a well-resourced, highly-qualified, and experienced group of around 30 investment professionals, providing advice to UK pension funds with assets totaling more than $12 billion. Steven managed Buck's actuarial and pension consulting business in London from 2007 until 2010 and is a Director of Buck Consultants Ltd. Steven spent six years researching and teaching pure mathematics, completing a doctorate in mathematics at the University of Edinburgh in 1990 before starting his actuarial career. He holds the Certificate in Financial Planning, and is an FCA-Authorised Investment Adviser in the UK.