John Chilman, who has served as Railpen’s CEO for six years, will step down in 2025.
Chilman oversaw the internalisation of investment management, the development of fiduciary expertise, and a significant increase in assets at Railpen. Chilman led efforts to increase efficiency and scalability, enabling a multi-employer programme with more than 100 legally separate divisions.
He chaired the investment committee from 2010 to 2014, was a member of the trustee board from 2007 to 2019, and before taking on the CEO position, he was the trustee chair from 2014 to 2019.
Chilman positions as trustee of the Pensions Policy Institute and chair of the PLSA Policy board remain unaffected by his retirement.
Chilman says: “I’ve enormous pride in what we have achieved together at Railpen in recent years, of which the highlights for me are: defining a clear purpose that has galvanised the diverse operations across Railpen, which has been further strengthened through our internally generated values; the very strong funding position delivered; the improvements made to the day-to-day support we provide members and pensioners; and the enhanced support we now provide to our colleagues.
“I have given the Board a lot of notice of my decision, so that there can be a thorough recruitment process for the next stage in Railpen’s evolution, and that I can pass on the shirt to someone who can take Railpen forward in continuing to achieve its purpose to secure our members’ future.”
Railpen chair Mike Craston says: “John has helped to transform Railpen in his time as Chief Executive, both operationally and culturally. John’s energy and enthusiasm have united colleagues behind a common purpose, and he leaves Railpen in a much stronger position than when he and I joined. My focus now is on the difficult task of filling John’s shoes. On behalf of the Railpen Board, I wish John all the best for his retirement and in whatever his next challenge may be.”
Railways Pension Scheme Trustee Limited chair Christine Kernoghan says: “John was the Chair of the Trustee when I first became a director, and whilst it was a loss for the Trustee when he moved into the Chief Executive role, John has enabled Railpen to flourish under his leadership. The Trustee Board knows how important the scheme is to members.
“Everyone at Railpen shares this passion, and it will be vital that dedication continues as it has done under John’s leadership. All of us on the Trustee Board thank John and wish him the very best in retirement.”
