Appointments: National Grid, TPR, Procentia

Chris Hogg is to step down as chief executive of the National Grid UK Pension Scheme after six years at the helm.

The scheme announced this week that Hogg will leave during the summer. Since joining as CEO of the £12.6bn scheme in 2018, he has led an overhaul of its governance structure as well as enhancing relationships with the sponsoring employer and the trustee board.

In a press release, the scheme said Hogg had also driven an increased focus on risk management, working with the trustees and National Grid to oversee a de-risking strategy that “significantly increased funding security”.

This included multiple buy-in with insurers including Rothesay Life and Legal & General, while in 2021 the scheme outsourced its investment function by appointing Russell Investments as fiduciary manager.

Hogg said: “Since taking over as chief executive my focus has been on building the strongest possible foundation for the scheme and best-in-class service for its members.

“Working with the trustees, sponsor and an exceptional support team, I’m very proud of what we have achieved during this period and look forward to seeing the scheme continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

Hogg recently led a project to outsource the onward provision of trustee executive support, which the scheme said would provide “resourcing flexibility” as it matures.

Chris Martin, chair of trustees, said: “The trustees are delighted with the results that have been achieved and Chris leaves the scheme in a strong position for its next phase, as it continues delivering and securing members’ benefits. We wish Chris every success in his future endeavours.”

TPR’s Davie to chair diversity group

Jenny Davie, the Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) head of regulatory transactions and frontline services, has been appointed chair of the industry group Diversity in Pensions.

The group was set up in 2019 to promote diversity in senior decision-making roles within the pensions industry.

Davie said the organisation plays “a key role in delivering a pensions market that reflects the savers in it”, adding that her new role would complement TPR’s aim of improving equality, diversity and inclusion within scheme boards.

Procentia targets growth with senior sales hire

Pension technology provider Procentia has appointed Helen Sparke as sales director to lead its growth and sales strategy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In this newly created role, Sparke will join the company’s senior leadership team with the aim of helping expand its reach and grow its position in the UK pensions and pension risk transfer sectors.

She joins from Civica where she worked for 17 years, most recently as business development director.

Procentia is part of the Brightwell Group and provides the IntelliPen scheme administration and management system. It recently won a seven-year contract with the University Superannuation Scheme.