The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has appointed The Pensions Regulator (TPR) chief executive Nausicaa Delfas as an independent non-executive director on its board.

Delfas has led TPR since April 2023 and previously held several senior roles at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), including executive director of international, executive director of governance and chief operating officer. She also served as interim chief executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service and is a qualified solicitor. In addition to Delfas' appointment, CFIT has appointed Chris Pond as non-executive chair and Vivienne Artz as an independent non-executive director. Pond has held a range of senior roles across financial services, academia and politics and is a former MP and Work and Pensions Minister in the Blair government. He is also currently chair of the FCA Consumer Panel and replaces Charlotte Crosswell, CFIT’s founding chair. Artz is chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and holds several board and advisory roles supporting businesses in their data, privacy, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and digital transformation strategies. These appointments follow the appointment of Anna Wallace as the organisation’s CEO to lead CFIT into its next phase of its growth.

Co-op has outsourced the administration of the Somerfield Pension Scheme, which was previously managed in-house, to First Actuarial.

To ensure continuity of service for members, Co-op is transferring several of its administrators to First Actuarial’s Manchester office. The company said that, before making this move, it had reviewed First Actuarial’s workplace and culture and was confident the Manchester office would provide a suitable environment for its employees. Commenting on the appointment, First Actuarial partner and head of business development, Sam Mullock, said: "When schemes are administered in-house, members expect to speak to pension team members they know. We will keep that personal feel, rather than operate like a distant outsourced provider. Members will be able to contact the team easily and speak with the people they know." Mullock added that First Actuarial has also agreed with Co-op to progressively enhance the services provided, ensuring improvements are introduced gradually rather than all at once.

Lothian Pension Fund has appointed Barry MacLennan as chief operating officer, effective 20 October 2025.

MacLennan has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry across the pensions, life and investment sectors. Most recently, he was Embark Investments CEO, a wealth technology business that was bought by Lloyds Banking Group. He also previously lectured at Napier University and has held leadership roles at Martin Currie and Standard Life. Commenting on the appointment, Lothian Pension Fund chief executive officer, David Vallery, said he is “delighted” to welcome MacLennan as chief operating officer and that MacLennan's commitment to supporting colleagues and enhancing its member focus “aligns perfectly” with Lothian Pension Fund’s values.

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