Appointments: LGA's Donnelly to lead London Pensions Fund Authority

The London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA) has hired Jo Donnelly from the Local Government Association as its next chief executive officer. She will join the £8bn Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund in April. 

At the Local Government Association, Donnelly has been head of pensions since 2022, and before that was senior pensions secretary. She is also secretary to the LGPS Scheme Advisory Board. 

Donnelly has previously held pensions policy roles at the Treasury and the Department of Health and Social Care. 

LPFA chair John Preston said Donnelly had “effectively and capably represented the views of local authorities to government on a wide variety of LGPS issues”. 

“Her reputation as a strong advocate for the LGPS and the work that our industry delivers on behalf of LGPS members and employers is well deserved,” he continued.  

“The UK pensions market is complex and ever-changing and we are pleased that the LPFA has such an experienced leader in place to help our organisation navigate future developments.”  

Donnelly said: “I am excited to be joining the LPFA at what is a particularly busy and interesting time for the LGPS. I’m looking forward to getting to know the team at the LPFA, and to working with the sector as we navigate the months and years ahead – building on established relationships and continuing to deliver for scheme members. 

“It’s been a privilege to lead the Local Government Association’s pensions team for the last few years, and I’d like to thank the team for all their efforts and hard work during that time.” 

Donnelly succeeds Robert Branagh, who announced his departure from the LPFA in October. 

Nest promotes Egginton to strategic role

Master trust provider Nest has promoted Camilla Egginton to the position of chief strategy and transformation officer, a newly created role. 

Egginton has worked at Nest since 2012, most recently as transformation director, helping deliver on the master trust’s revised corporate strategy. 

Ian Cornelius, CEO of Nest, said: “Appointing a chief strategy and transformation officer underlines the importance of the delivery of our corporate strategy and will help us fulfil our goal to be a best-in-class pension provider, delivering the best possible financial outcomes for our members to and through retirement.” 

Eggintonadded: “It is a huge privilege to take up this role at Nest. We have a strong and meaningful purpose, an ambitious strategy and the drive to deliver lasting value for our members and the communities we serve.” 

People’s hires two to customer support roles

People’s Partnership, provider of The People’s Pension master trust, has made two appointments to senior customer support roles. 

Allie Jenkin has joined the firm as director of customer engagement, while Victoria Willmott has been appointed customer solutions director. 

Jenkin will oversee the company’s customer support and guidance teams, People’s Partnership said in a press release. 

She has previously worked in senior leadership positions at companies including Vanguard and Coutts. In her most recent role at Vanguard, she was head of client service and operations. 

Willmott, meanwhile, joins from Coutts where she was head of client journey. She has worked in customer relations and operations for 20 years, including for Barclays Bank and Deloitte. 

In her new role, Willmott will oversee service delivery to members and employers as well as client banking and charitable trust operations, People’s said. 

Aegon hands Roy new role in workplace DC team

Nick Roy has been appointed as commercial director at Aegon, a newly created role within the company’s senior leadership team. 

He is responsible for Aegon’s workplace defined contribution business. He has worked with Aegon for more than 20 years in several senior roles, most recently as director of client and partnership development. 

Chief distribution officer Ronnie Taylor said Roy’s new role would “accelerate the momentum” behind Aegon’s business model changes. 

Roy added: “There is so much more still to do to improve pension scheme members’ outcomes. 2025 will be a year of delivery and growth as we build on Aegon’s top three workplace position through enhanced proposition and personalised customer engagement.” 

Pinsent Masons adds 20th partner

Law firm Pinsent Masons has hired Ian Mylrea as a pensions partner in its financial services team based in Manchester. 

He joins from Brabners where he was head of pensions. He is the 20th partner at Pinsent Masons and follows the other members of his Brabners team, who joined earlier this year. 

Stephen Scholefield, head of pensions and long-term savings, said: “The pensions market is going through a period of significant consolidation in the UK. Ian is a very highly regarded pensions lawyer and has considerable experience and knowledge across all aspects of pensions law that will bring real value to our professional trustee clients in particular.” 

Trafalgar House boosts comms team

Administration provider Trafalgar House has hired Colin Groom as senior communications associate. 

He joins after more than 20 years at Aviva, where he was most recently as a communications delivery lead. 

Daniel Taylor, client director at Trafalgar House, said the company was investing heavily in recruiting communications experts and in designing digital systems to support pension scheme members.