Railpen has elected new trustee directors to its Trustee Board, which oversees all four railway pension schemes.

Both Martin Hunter and John McBride have been appointed as trustee directors. Hunter currently works at Transport for London (TfL) as chief executive of the TfL Pension Fund and director of pensions and previously served the railways pension schemes’ Trustee Board as head of integrated funding at Railpen. Meanwhile, McBride has over 30 years of experience in the rail industry, including senior leadership roles with British Transport Police. In addition to Hunter and McBride, four of Railpen’s current directors have been re-elected to the Trustee Board for another six-year term of office, running until 1 July 2032. These are Adam Golton, Charles Harding, Richard Goldson, and Fatima Baig. Baig was nominated by Network Rail; the Retired Railway Officers’ Society nominated Goldson; Charles Harding was nominated by the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions; and Passenger Train Operating Companies nominated Adam Golton.

Pi Partnership has hired Vanessa Walker as trustee director.

Walker is a highly experienced professional trustee and has over 25 years of experience in the pension industry. She has a background in governance and extensive experience as both sole trustee and co-trustee. She joins from Independent Governance Group, where she held roles of trustee director and associate director. Commenting on the appointment, Pi Partnership head of trusteeship, Joanne Holden, said: “Vanessa brings a strong understanding of the matters facing trustees and her extensive experience will further strengthen Pi’s work with smaller schemes, helping to reach pragmatic decisions in a collaborative way whilst also focusing on cost-effective governance.”

Standard Life has appointed Tom Chalkley as business development director.

Chalkley joins Standard Life from Isio, where he advised employers and trustees on defined contribution pensions, wider savings and financial wellbeing. He previously worked at KPMG Pensions before it became Isio, having joined the business 15 years ago. In his new role, Chalkley will lead relationships with employee benefit consultants. Commenting on the appointment, Standard Life head of business, Steph Coventry, said: “[Chalkley] brings a wealth of experience across workplace pensions and a deep understanding of the consultant market. His expertise and relationship-led approach will be a real asset as we continue to support employers, trustees and advisers and build trusted partnerships across the market.”

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