Appointments: Vidett, People’s Pension, IFoA

Professional trustee firm Vidett has hired four people to boost its governance services, including a former pensions manager for Next.

Kelly Newton held several pensions-related roles at Next, most recently pensions manager, and has also been group pensions manager at Samworth Brothers. In her new client director role at Vidett, she will lead the firm’s governance and secretarial services as well as its work on the General Code.

Sarah Caswell has joined the company as a manager, responsible for supporting clients with governance, pensions secretarial and project work. She was most recently at Isio, where she oversaw the transition of pension schemes to new administrators.

Elsewhere, Joe Vickers has joined from KPMG as a senior finance data analyst, working with Vidett’s chief financial officer and chief operations officer on financial and commercial analysis. Finally, Natalina Onofrio has been hired as a marketing assistant to focus on digital marketing, communications, and data reporting.

People’s Pension hires bid management leader

Defined contribution master trust provider People’s Partnership has appointed Laura Ellis as its new head of bid management as it gears up to grow its operations over the next few years, in line with the government’s “megafunds” plans.

Ellis has worked in business development across a range of industries, including pensions and many areas of financial services.

Stuart Reid, distribution director at People’s Partnership, said: “With a deep understanding of the defined contribution and workplace landscape, Laura will bring a wealth of experience and insight that will be critical as we continue to expand our presence in these key markets.

“Laura will be instrumental in driving forward our strategic priorities and her leadership will help shape the next phase of our growth journey, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation, client engagement, and long-term value creation.”

Which?’s Younger to lead IFoA’s regulatory board

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) has appointed Sam Younger as the independent chair of its regulatory board, with effect from 22 September.

Younger currently chairs the Consumers’ Association, also known as Which?, as well as the Advertising Advisory Committee of the Advertising Standards Authority. 

Among several senior roles in regulation, Younger was the inaugural chair of the Electoral Commission, from 2001 to 2008, and was chief executive of the Charity Commission for England and Wales from 2010 to 2014.

Younger succeeds Neil Buckley in the role.

Paul Sweeting, IFoA president, said: “Under the IFoA’s Royal Charter, we take seriously our duty to regulate the actuarial profession in the public interest by ensuring that our members demonstrate the highest standards of conduct and competence. I look forward to working with Sam as the IFoA continues to safeguard and champion professional excellence in an evolving regulatory landscape.”