Brian Henderson has been appointed head of sustainable investment for UK, Europe and IMETA
This week’s appointments include those at The Pensions Regulator, M.J. Hudson, Mercer and 2020 Trustees.
TPR announces new chief executive
21 December, 3:00PM
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has appointed Nausicaa Delfas as its new chief executive (CEO), taking over the role in March 2023.
Delfas - who is replacing Charles Counsell - joins from her current role as executive director of governance at the Financial Conduct Authority.
She was previously interim chief executive and chief ombudsman of the Financial Ombudsman Service.
In the new role, Delfas will lead TPR as it continues to implement a raft of new high-profile initiatives designed to improve outcomes for savers
She will also focus on driving value for money for savers, ensuring auto-enrolment continues to be a success and tackling criminal activity.
TPR chair Sarah Smart said: "I am thrilled to appoint Nausicaa Delfas to the role at a time when the pace of change in the pension industry shows no sign of slowing.
"Nausicaa has a proven track record of delivering transformational change, and her background in governance will be vital as we ensure those who deliver pension savings are meeting the challenges of new legislation, and as we continue to improve our effectiveness by becoming a more data and technology-led organisation."
She added: "I would like to thank Charles for his outstanding work as CEO. He has worked tirelessly to help TPR become the clearer, quicker and tougher regulator it is today, embedding wide-ranging new legislative duties and showing that we will take action to tackle criminal behaviour. He has led from the front and has engendered the values by which we, and the industry, should all work."
Delfas added: "I am delighted to be joining TPR as CEO at a time of significant change and challenge. Saving effectively for the future is essential for everyone. TPR plays a key role in protecting work-based pensions and the post-retirement income of over 30 million people. I look forward to leading this organisation in its critical work."
Pensions minister Laura Trott noted: "Nausicaa will bring a real wealth of experience to the role and I've no doubt she will be an excellent choice to continue the pivotal role played by Charles Counsell and the whole TPR team in supporting and expanding pension saving across the country."
By Holly Roach
MJ Hudson UK appoints Julie Patterson as non-executive director
21 December, 12:16PM
Julie Patterson has joined MJ Hudson's UK regulated subsidiary boards as an independent non-executive director.
Until July last year, Patterson was head of asset management at KPMG's EMA FS regulatory insight centre for seven years and, prior to that, director of regulatory affairs at the Investment Management Association for 15 years. She has also held roles at the Financial Services Authority and spent 14 years at the Bank of England in a variety of roles.
Patterson currently sits on the board of a UK subsidiary of $2trn (£1.65trn) asset manager, Capital Group, chairs the Investment Association's sectors committee, and is a member of the boards of trustees of Sawbridgeworth Parochial Church Council and Sawbridgeworth Ecclesiastical Charity.
MJ Hudson partner of regulatory solutions Mike Booth said: "We are excited that Julie has joined the board and we are looking forward to working with her in the years ahead. This is a further example of our commitment to operating robust corporate governance arrangements."
Patterson added: "I am delighted to work alongside Mike and the team at MJ Hudson. It is very rare for a UK principal firm to appoint a fully independent director to its board and MJ Hudson is to be commended for taking this step."
By Jonathan Stapleton
Mercer adds to sustainable investment leadership team
19 December, 3:29PM
Mercer has appointed Kate Brett and Brian Henderson to its sustainable investment (SI) leadership team.
Brett has been appointed global intellectual capital leader for SI, where she will oversee the development of Mercer's SI approaches. She brings experience working on a number of industry-wide SI collaborations including the Pensions Climate Risk Industry Group. She previously served as a principal in the company's Responsible Investment team.
Henderson has been appointed head of sustainable investment for UK, Europe and IMETA and will take a leading role in the company's SI initiatives in these territories. Prior to this, he worked as head of defined contribution consulting and has also served in a number of ESG working groups, including the group run by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.
Mercer global head of investment research Jo Holden said: "These appointments represent our continued commitment, since establishing the SI team more than 15 years ago, to helping clients implement pragmatic approaches to SI, net-zero ambitions and their broader ESG goals, wherever they are along their journey."
By Martin Richmond
2020 Trustees makes senior hire
19 December, 10:53AM
2020 Trustees has hired Helen Beckinsale as head of relationship management.
Beckinsale joins from the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), where she has worked since 2011.
She was most recently responsible for managing the trustee panel and ensuring schemes transitioned effectively to the PPF.
Beckinsale said: "I have worked with the team at 2020 for over 11 years now, so to now have the opportunity to join the team and play a part in their ongoing development is really exciting."
2020 Trustees managing director Naomi L'Estrange said: "We have hugely enjoyed working with her at the PPF and know that her energy, commitment and great relationship skills align perfectly with everything 2020 stands for and will add hugely to our team."
By Jasmine Urquhart
