USS appoints new Chief Pensions Officer

Universities Superannuation Scheme – the UK’s largest private pension scheme by way of assets – has appointed a new Chief Pensions Officer.

Based at the £64bn scheme’s Liverpool office, Helen McEwan will be responsible for all pensions related activities, including business and operational strategy, product development and delivery, operations, member communications, and client engagement.

Helen, who will formally take up her new role with USS on 1 April, has previously held a variety of senior roles at Aegon. She has also served on a number of executive boards including the pensions technology platform, True Potential, and NOW Pensions as well working as a Non-Executive Director at The Exeter, a healthcare and protection insurance provider.

Bill Galvin, USS Group CEO, said:

“We are trusted to look after every step of our members’ journey to, and through, retirement – and the Chief Pensions Officer is at the very heart of that process.

“This is a critical role, so I am delighted we have been able to appoint someone of Helen’s calibre and experience, who will add great value to our Executive team and who will be able to build on the high standard of service that our pensions team already provides to our members.”

Helen McEwan said:

“I am honoured and excited to be joining USS where the high calibre of the team and the commitment to quality and value really appealed to me. With its large scale I am also looking forward to supporting the Scheme in driving forward its pension proposition, digital capability and taking its operational excellence to the next level.”

Helen replaces Kevin Smith, who retired as USS CPO in 2018