The Defined Contribution Investment Forum has elected Mark Austin as its new chair and David Whitehair its vice chair for 2024.

Austin is pensions and insurance executive for Northern Trust’s asset servicing business in EMEA, where he leads the growth strategy for the firm’s pensions and insurance business. He is also chair of trustees of the Northern Trust UK Pension Plan, and has over 35 years’ experience in managing and administering retirement assets. Whitehair is Janus Henderson director of institutional business, a position he has held since 2020. In his role, he is responsible for the strategic development of the firm’s UK DC business. Prior to this, he spent a decade at Fidelity in DC business development. 2023 chair, Lorna Kennedy, has become immediate past chair following the vote, and will sit on the board for one more year.

Barnett Waddingham has appointed Inderpreet Kaur Bedi as lead on its governance and secretariat service team.

Kaur Bedi has more than 11 years of experience in global governance, including as the first chairperson of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India-overseas chapter. She has experience working with both listed and unlisted corporations and funds across the renewable energy, infrastructure and financial services sectors in the European and Asian market. Commenting on her appointment, Kaur Bedi said: “I am delighted to join at a time when the company is showing unprecedented growth and service innovation."

NextGen Pensions has named Matt Dodds as its new chair, following the end of Caroline Escott’s two-year term.

Previously vice chair of the volunteer organisation, Dodds has a range of industry experience and is a long-standing advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in pensions. He is also Capita Pension Solutions chief growth officer. Following Dodds’ appointment as chair, the group announced that Aviva head of client relationships, Victoria Panormo, has taken over the role of vice chair. Having sat on NextGen’s main committee since 2020, she will work alongside Dodds to drive forward the organisation’s future development and opportunities on offer for members.

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