Pensions industry movers and shakers w/e 18 August 2023

Nest announces responsible investment and user experience design appointments

Nest announced two appointments to its governance structure. Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott MBE MP has reappointed Karen Cham to the Nest Board, while the Board has also appointed Katrina Shenton to Nest’s Investment Committee, the body overseeing the pension scheme’s investment strategy. 

An expert in user experience design and designing for behaviour change, Karen is also Professor of Augmented Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Design at Kingston Business School. Here she heads up the ‘The BRAINS Lab’ with behavioural scientist, Professor Gaelle Vallee Tourangeau, an interdisciplinary unit dedicated to an inclusive, ethical and sustainable digital future. Karen’s research concerns designing for persuasion, emotion, and trust, and she specialises in the digital transformation of values at scale and ethical practice. 

Karen joined Nest’s Board in 2019 and has been reappointed for a second term of three years, from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2027. 

Appointed for her extensive experience in both growth management and responsible investing, Katrina will bring a strong governance mindset to Nest’s investment committee. She has experience in entrepreneurship, private equity, ESG, impact investments, B-corp, climate change and renewable energy. She has been a Trustee of SolarAid, non-executive director and Chair of the Investment Committee for Applerigg Limited, and a member of Octopus Investments Responsible Investment Committee. Katrina is also on the Board of the COIF Charity Funds (c. £8bn) that are managed by CCLA Fund Management.  

Katrina has been appointed as a special member of Nest’s Investment Committee for a term of three years, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2026. 

Commenting on the appointments, Brendan McCafferty, Chair of Nest, said:

“Nest’s Board thrives on diversity of thought and backgrounds – Karen’s experience in digital transformation, design and user experience has been key to supporting the Board’s focus on how technology can help communicate and engage with our members. Katrina’s strong governance mindset combined with her experience and passion for responsible investment and ESG will help further strengthen our investment committee as we continue to grow and invest for our members.

‘These appointments ensure we have the right skills and experience to support our governance framework during this busy and strategic time for Nest. I look forward to Karen’s continued support and Katrina’s new involvement.”

First Actuarial expands Basingstoke investment team

First Actuarial has expanded its investment service with the appointment of Adam Michaels to its Basingstoke office.

Michaels is an authorised investment adviser with decades of consultancy and leadership experience and will work alongside Manoj Patel – another authorised investment consultant who joined the firm in 2022.  

Michaels said: “What I like most about First Actuarial is their relentless focus on what the client wants. This is reflected in their long-term approach to service development. 

“They’ve invested significantly in developing the technology and processes needed for efficient service delivery, which will ultimately benefit the client. That’s really important in a competitive market where clients need cost-effective solutions.” 

Stafford Capital Partners appoints head of sustainability

Stafford Capital Partners, the international private markets investment and advisory group, has appointed Marta Jankovic as head of sustainability. 

Jankovic will be responsible for working closely with Stafford’s investment committees to drive the firm’s ongoing commitment to long-term, responsible investing across its alternative strategies.

Based in Stafford’s Rotterdam office, Jankovic will report to CEO, Angus Whiteley 

Angus Whiteley, CEO said: “As active investors, Stafford plays an important role in ensuring our investments align with industry best practice, environmental protection, human rights, and good governance in a way that will enhance and underpin the financial returns that our investors expect of us and add long term value to the community of which we are a part.

“Marta’s experience, attitude and knowledge of the evolving policy environment when it comes to EU and global standards make her a wonderful addition to our experienced team.

“She is well placed to help guide our investment strategies and deliver on our clients’ responsible investment objectives. Marta’s experience will really consolidate the work we undertake in this space.”

Jankovic has more than 15 years of investment industry experience, her most recent role being responsible for the delivery of client responsible investment policy objectives at APG Asset Management.

She was previously a director in BlackRock’s investment stewardship team, where she was responsible for providing leadership on ESG research and insights, as well as voting and engaging with public companies in the EMEA region.

On her appointment, Jankovic said: “This is a highly valued opportunity for me to work closely with an investment manager that has embedded responsible investing from the ground-up and therefore has deep experience and appreciation of the importance of delivering sustainability strategies, both within its own business and for its clients.”