Sara Cook, principal at Barnett Waddingham, has been appointed as president of the Pensions Management Institute.
Cook will chair the Advisory Council at the Pensions Management Institute and will also sit on the board as a non-executive director while Robert Wakefield, First Actuarial, has been elected as the new vice-president.
Cook joined Barnett Waddingham LLP in 2013; she focuses primarily on delivering governance, secretariat, and special projects to trustee clients. Cook is also a co-leader of the company’s strategy for the joint code of practise of The Pensions Regulator.
Wakefield, who oversees First Actuarial’s pension administration, has been chosen as the next vice-president. As part of his duties, Wakefield will join the PMI board and the presidential team as a non-executive director. The PMI Board is eager to continue working with Robert and extends its warmest welcome to him on the team.
Lesley Alexander, who has held positions on the board since 2017, as a vice president for two years, and as president for two one-year periods, will step down after serving two consecutive terms on the Advisory Council.
Pensions Management Institute CEO Gareth Tancred: “As the PMI continues in its goal to encourage high standards across the UK pension industry, the role of President is crucial. That is why we are delighted that Sara Cook has been elected our President of the Institute. Sara’s wealth of experience and expertise has been invaluable over her many years of service on the Advisory Council and serving on various Board Committees. The President is the principal ambassador for the Institute, and we very much look forward to continuing to work with her as we finalise and deliver our new strategic plan.
Cook says: “I’m delighted to have been appointed President but I am in no doubt I have large shoes to fill from my predecessor who leaves a strong legacy behind her. I’m so looking forward to the exciting new plans the PMI has to offer as part of our strategic journey and will continue working closely with Gareth Tancred and the Board to continue to achieve our goals, moving pensions forward.”
PMI Board chair Ruston Smith says: “The pace of change continues to increase and the role of the PMI in supporting, informing, and equipping trustees and pension professionals to develop and grow has never been more important. I’m really looking forward to continuing to work with the board, our new NEDs and the team to implement our strategy and continuously improve all we do to meet the future needs of our members and the industry in the UK and internationally.”
