London, 16 October 2024 – Today, InvestAcc is delighted to announce the appointment of three Independent Non-Executive Directors who today join the Company’s Board; John Castagno, Helen Copinger-Symes and Martin Potkins. Effective on their appointment, the Company has established four committees, an Audit Committee chaired by Martin, a Risk Committee chaired by John, a Nomination Committee chaired by Executive Chairman Mark Hodges and a Remuneration Committee chaired by Helen. The Company has also elected John to be appointed as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Helen to be appointed as the Designated Workforce Director.
Independent Non-Executive Director Appointments:
These appointments strengthen the Company’s governance arrangements and provide the Board with highly credible and experienced directors who provide expertise in areas critical to the Company as it seeks to execute its stated strategy to become the leading UK pensions administration business.
Giovanni (John) Castagno
Giovanni (John) has over 45 years’ experience of working as an executive and non-executive with companies such as Legal & General, BUPA, Post Office Insurance, Tesco Bank, British Gas Insurance and Hastings Direct.
John is currently Non-Executive Chair of Dignity Funerals Limited, Honorary Chairman of Wide Group (Italy) and is the Senior Independent Director and Non-Executive Chair of risk for Markerstudy Group Holdings Limited.
Helen Copinger-Symes
Helen has over 35 years’ experience in financial services, initially in fixed income capital markets, followed by an extensive career in institutional asset management focusing on investments for UK pension funds. She has worked for several global investment firms including Deutsche Asset Management, Invesco Perpetual, AllianceBernstein and State Street Global Advisors, in addition to a boutique hedge fund.
Helen currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the board of Nest Corporation as well as Chair of the Pension SuperFund Holdings and Pension SuperFund Sponsor boards. She is also a Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee for DHL (UK) Foundation, overseeing the Foundation’s portfolio of assets.
Martin Potkins
Martin is a highly experienced senior executive with particular expertise in financial services, specifically life & pensions, general and health insurance developed over 35+ years. His most recent executive role was as interim CFO for Bupa where he continues to chair the UK DB pension scheme and the Bupa Global subsidiary serving EU customers based in Ireland.
Martin has significant experience of complex change in a variety of different scenarios, from established businesses (based in UK and worldwide) impacted by regulatory change, to acquisitive concerns requiring structural transformation and cultural change.
Commenting on the appointment of the Independent Non-Executive Directors, Executive Chairman Mark Hodges, said:
We are delighted to welcome John, Helen and Martin to the board and are very much looking to working alongside them at this exciting time in the development of the Company.
Governance enhancements:
These appointments demonstrate the Company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a high standard of governance and further strengthen the Board’s expertise in areas critical to the Company’s strategic objectives.
The Board is confident that John, Helen and Martin bring a wealth of knowledge and diverse experience that will further enhance the Company’s ability to deliver long-term value for shareholders.
Senior Management Team Appointments
The Company is also pleased to reconfirm the appointment of Allan Dibble as CCO and James Keely as CRO.
As CCO, Allan will be responsible for leading M&A and integrations for InvestAcc Group. He brings over 20 years’ experience in post-merger integration and strategic transformation in financial services, primarily in the life insurance, savings and retirement sectors. As CRO, James will lead the Company’s risk, governance and regulatory work, leveraging his experience within the financial services sector.
To learn more about the Senior Management Team, read their bio’s here.
Media Enquiries
FGS Global (PR Advisor to InvestAcc)
Rollo Head / Chris Sibbald / Sophia Johnston
+44(0)20 7251 3801
Marwyn-LON@fgsglobal.com