Jo has worked in the pensions industry for over 20 years. She is known for her pragmatic, consensus driven and commercial approach. She was named Trustee of the Year at Professional Pensions’ Women in Pensions Awards 2020, where judges noted how Jo is “a good role model”, “a clear figure in the community” and “a true hard worker.” Jo has considerable experience as a professional trustee, and has expertise in leading boards through change projects. She is appointed as co-trustee, Chair of Trustees or Sole Trustee to a portfolio of schemes (including multi-billion pound schemes). Several of these are hybrid schemes and she is very familiar with the workings of these schemes, in particular default arrangements and contribution structures. Jo delivers proactive, solid trusteeship, and enjoys collaborative relationships with her co-trustees, sponsoring employers and advisers. She places a great deal of emphasis on the need for all parties to work pragmatically, collaboratively and commercially whilst meeting the fiduciary obligations to beneficiaries. Jo is commercial and takes a proactive approach to understanding the sponsor’s views to ensure she has a full understanding of the Corporate’s point of view and take this into account. As a former legal adviser, she is also well qualified to lead and support the Board on any challenges in respect of advice being provided by legal advisers where required. She has worked in pensions since 2001 and spent the first 12 years of her career as a City pensions lawyer.
Jo is a fully accredited professional trustee with the Association of Professional Pension Trustees.