John Hastings-Bass
Chair
John Hastings-Bass
Chair
John brings over 45 years of business experience in the insurance and reinsurance sectors and has undertaken the role of Chair in a number of publicly quoted and privately owned businesses.
John began his career in Hong Kong with Jardine Matheson in 1976. He moved to London and was latterly a Director of JLT Group and Chief Executive Officer of International Business Group. He joined Arthur J. Gallagher in 2007 as Chairman of International Development, leading the Asia Pacific business, and served as Chair of Novae Group plc from 2008 to 2017. In January 2015, John was appointed Non-Executive Chair of BMS Group, the private equity backed global insurance broking group, and in October 2022, he was appointed Chair of Dale Management Agency Limited.
David Richardson
Group Chief Executive Officer
David Richardson
Group Chief Executive Officer
David was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer on 19 September 2019. Prior to that David was Deputy CEO and Managing Director of the DB Solutions business. He was the CFO of Partnership Assurance Group plc from February 2013 until April 2016.
Since his appointment as Group CEO, David has focused on transforming the Group into a customer-focused leader in the retirement space, growing the business sustainably and profitably to create material value for shareholders.
Over a 30-year career David has gained deep and varied experience across long-term savings, life insurance, pensions and reinsurance sectors. Previously, David was Group Chief Actuary of Phoenix Group, where he was the Executive Committee member responsible for restructuring the group’s balance sheet and enhancing its overall capital management. Prior to this, David worked in various senior roles at Swiss Re in the UK and US, across both its Admin Re and traditional reinsurance businesses. David commenced his career at Tillinghast.
Mark Godson
Group Chief Financial Officer
Mark Godson
Group Chief Financial Officer
Mark brings over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry across several international markets, with particular expertise in delivering growth strategies, business transformation, commercial optimisation, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his appointment as Group Chief Financial Officer, Mark was a partner at Ernst & Young (EY), and leader of their UK Actuarial practice.
Prior to EY, Mark was a Director at Swiss Re, leading the pricing, structuring, and diligence of closed and open book transactions across Europe and USA.
Mark holds Executive responsibility for sponsorship of the Race Equality network.
Jim Brown
Independent Non-Executive Director
Jim Brown
Independent Non-Executive Director
Jim has considerable corporate finance, restructuring and mergers and acquisition experience, and has worked within the financial services industry throughout his career, latterly within the Retail and Commercial banking sector.
Jim was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Secure Trust Bank plc on 31 March 2024 and as Chair on 16 May 2024. He was Chief Executive Officer of Sainsbury’s Bank plc and a member of the Sainsbury’s Group Operating Board until his retirement from such roles at the end of March 2024. Prior to this, Jim was Chief Executive Officer of Williams and Glyn between 2015 and 2017 and Chief Executive Officer of Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland from 2011 to 2015.
Internationally, Jim has held a number of senior roles in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, including Chief Executive Officer of Retail and Commercial Banking, Asia and the Middle East for RBS and ABN AMRO.
Kathy Byrne
Independent Non-Executive Director
Kathy Byrne
Independent Non-Executive Director
Kathy Byrne has over 40 years’ experience in the insurance industry and was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Police Friendly Society. A qualified actuary, Kathy started her career at consulting actuaries Hymans Robertson & Co and was Managing Director of Cardif Pinnacle’s investment business unit. Prior to this she was their Group Actuarial Director.
Kathy has an MBA from Henley Management College and has served on the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Council.
Outside of Just Group, Kathy is a Non-Executive Director of Amicorp FS (UK) plc. Kathy is also a co-founder and shareholder of Alpasion Vineyard, Mendoza, where she held a Non-Executive Director role until 2020.
Michelle Cracknell
Independent Non-Executive Director
Michelle Cracknell
Independent Non-Executive Director
Michelle brings a wealth of strategic and customer behavioural experience, having spent over 30 years in senior roles in the regulated financial services industry.
Michelle was Chief Executive Officer of The Pensions Advisory Service from 2013 to 2018. Prior to that, she held Director roles in advice firms, pension providers and insurance companies.
In addition to Just Group, Michelle is a Non-Executive Director and Trustee of Lloyds Banking Group Pension Funds, Chair of FIL Wealth Management Limited, Non-Executive Director of FIL Holdings Limited and Financial Administration Services Limited. Michelle is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of PensionBee Group plc, and a Non-Executive Director of Sport England and Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee. She is a Trustee of the charity, Orthogeriatric Research Fund.
Mary Kerrigan
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mary Kerrigan
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mary has considerable experience in the pensions, life insurance and investment industries, and is a former partner of Willis Towers Watson.
Outside of Just Group, Mary is a Non-Executive Director of New Ireland Assurance Company plc and Companjon Services DAC, and is Chair of their respective Risk Committees. She is also a Non-Executive Director of Aegon Asset Management UK plc and La Banque Postale Asset Management Limited. Mary is a member of the Independent Governance Committee of Prudential Assurance UK Limited and Trustee of The London Irish Centre.
John Perks
Life Companies’ Chair
John Perks
Life Companies’ Chair
John has significant experience in the life and pensions industry, with over 30 years of experience in the sector. He was previously Chief Executive Officer of Police Mutual and Managing Director of Life & Pensions at LV=. Prior to that, he held senior roles at Prudential, AXA and Swiss Life. At LV=, John was a “friendly competitor” of Just Group in many of its product markets, in addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of its pension advice company, bringing important commercial and strategic perspectives to the Boards.
Outside of Just Group, John is Chair of HSBC Life (UK) Limited. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Mobius Life Limited, and is Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee.
Mary Phibbs
Senior Independent Director
Mary Phibbs
Senior Independent Director
Mary has more than 40 years of international business, retail and corporate finance, risk management, advisory and board experience in various countries.
Previous UK and overseas board experience includes serving as Chair of Virgin Money Unit Trust Managers Limited, and a Non-Executive Director of Morgan Stanley & Co International plc, Novae Group plc, New Day Group Limited, Friends Life Group plc, and the Charity Bank Limited. Mary has held senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank plc, ANZ Banking Group, National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Mary currently serves on the Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales. She is also a Non-Executive Director of The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) in Toronto, and is Chair of its Risk Committee.
Matt Saker
Non-Executive Director
Matt Saker
Non-Executive Director
Matt has over 30 years of experience in the insurance sector, having held senior leadership positions at FTSE 100 companies, including roles as Group Chief Actuary, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Risk Officer during his tenure at Aviva. Before joining Aviva, Matt built his career with Willis Towers Watson.
A Chartered Actuary, Matt is a past President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
In addition to his role at Just Group, he serves as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committees for both Admiral Insurance Company Limited and Admiral Insurance Gibraltar Limited, and is a member of the Actuarial Committee for Vitality Health and Life Insurance.
David Richardson
Group Chief Executive Officer
David Richardson
Group Chief Executive Officer
David was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer on 19 September 2019. Prior to that David was Deputy CEO and Managing Director of the DB Solutions business. He was the CFO of Partnership Assurance Group plc from February 2013 until April 2016.
Since his appointment as Group CEO, David has focused on transforming the Group into a customer-focused leader in the retirement space, growing the business sustainably and profitably to create material value for shareholders.
Over a 30-year career David has gained deep and varied experience across long-term savings, life insurance, pensions and reinsurance sectors. Previously, David was Group Chief Actuary of Phoenix Group, where he was the Executive Committee member responsible for restructuring the group’s balance sheet and enhancing its overall capital management. Prior to this, David worked in various senior roles at Swiss Re in the UK and US, across both its Admin Re and traditional reinsurance businesses. David commenced his career at Tillinghast.
Mark Godson
Group Chief Financial Officer
Mark Godson
Group Chief Financial Officer
Mark brings over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry across several international markets, with particular expertise in delivering growth strategies, business transformation, commercial optimisation, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his appointment as Group Chief Financial Officer, Mark was a partner at Ernst & Young (EY), and leader of their UK Actuarial practice.
Prior to EY, Mark was a Director at Swiss Re, leading the pricing, structuring, and diligence of closed and open book transactions across Europe and USA.
Mark holds Executive responsibility for sponsorship of the Race Equality network.
David Cooper
Group Marketing and Distribution Director
David Cooper
Group Marketing and Distribution Director
David is responsible for marketing, distribution and the Group’s HUB business. He leads the Group’s brand, insight and marketing activities, Group business development and is responsible for the Group strategy function. He is also the accountable Executive for all aspects of customer strategy including Consumer Duty. David holds Executive responsibility for sponsorship of the Older Workers Learning and Sharing network.
With 40 years in the financial services industry, David has operated in a number of sectors including retail banking, general insurance, personal credit, actuarial consulting and the retirement industry. He has worked for a variety of large organisations including GE Capital, Centrica, Bradford & Bingley and Hymans Robertson as well as much smaller growth businesses such as Stalwart Assurance, the business that developed enhanced annuities.
David is an Executive Director of various Just subsidiaries including HUB Financial Solutions Limited.
On behalf of Just, David is a Director of 55 Redefined Limited, a Group which delivers solutions that are targeted towards attracting, engaging, growing and retaining those in the 50+ demographic.
Alex Duncan
Group Chief Risk Officer
Alex Duncan
Group Chief Risk Officer
Alex is responsible for the oversight of risk management and compliance with financial regulation. He holds accountability, among others, for the firm’s performance of its obligations under the FCA senior management and certification regime (SMCR); conduct rules training and reporting, countering the risk that the Company might be used to further financial crime; the Group’s Own Risk and Solvency Assessment; the firm’s Compliance; and Climate Change risk. Alex holds Executive responsibility for Just’s implementation of its Sustainability strategy and for sponsorship of the Pride at Just network.
With over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Alex has held roles in reinsurance, investment banking, consulting, treasury, mergers and acquisitions, and capital management. Alex is a Chartered Actuary (Fellow) of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Ellie Evans
Group Chief People Officer
Ellie Evans
Group Chief People Officer
Ellie is responsible for the people and culture agenda, and plays an active role in delivering the Group’s strategy and fostering Just’s culture of inclusion, belonging and high performance. In her role, Ellie is focused on ensuring the Group possesses the necessary talent, leadership and capabilities to meet both current and future business needs. Her remit encompasses all facets of colleague experience, including engagement, the workplace environment, development, reward, belonging and inclusion, and sustainability. Ellie is, together with Paul Fulcher, the joint Executive Sponsor for Just’s charitable activities.
Ellie has over 20 years of cross industry HR leadership experience in operational, talent, learning, engagement, organisational design and development roles. Prior to Just, Ellie has worked at companies such as BAA plc, BP plc, Volkswagen Group, ABF plc and most recently, BGl Group.
Tom Evans
Managing Director, Retail
Tom Evans
Managing Director, Retail
Tom is responsible for the Group’s retail businesses in the UK and South Africa. The retail business delivers retirement solutions to intermediated customers through insurance, investment and mortgage propositions. Tom holds Executive responsibility for sponsorship of the Women’s and Men’s Health and Wellbeing networks.
Tom brings a wealth of experience from the Financial Services sector, most recently holding the position of Managing Director for Canada Life’s Retirement business. In this role he was responsible for the Individual Annuity and Home Finance businesses and was a member of the UK Executive Committee.
Prior to Canada Life, Tom held positions in Ernst & Young, Phoenix Group and Stonehaven where he was Managing Director prior to its acquisition by Canada Life.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Tom is an Executive Director of various Just subsidiaries including Just Retirement Money Limited and Partnership Home Loans Limited.
Paul Fulcher
Group Capital Management and Investment Executive
Paul Fulcher
Group Capital Management and Investment Executive
Paul is responsible for Just’s in-house Investment function, and for Capital Management. He leads on the first line management of Just’s market, credit, demographic and reinsurance risks, and manages the Group Pricing function. Paul is the Executive Sponsor for the social mobility network Just Mobile, and, together with Ellie Evans, leads the Group’s charitable activities.
Paul has 35 years of experience in the life insurance industry. Before joining Just, Paul was a principal at Milliman LLP, a life and financial services consulting firm. Prior to his time at Milliman, he spent six years at Nomura as a Managing Director, overseeing their Structuring and Insurance Solutions team providing solutions to insurers across Europe. He also worked in risk advisory and capital solutions roles for the Royal Bank of Scotland and UBS, and on mergers and acquisitions in the UK and Japan for HSBC and PwC. Paul is a Chartered Actuary (Fellow) of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Pretty Sagoo
Managing Director, Defined Benefit Solutions
Pretty Sagoo
Managing Director, Defined Benefit Solutions
Pretty is responsible for the Group’s de-risking (pension risk transfer) activities, providing security in retirement for members of corporate defined benefit (“DB”) pension schemes that transfer to the Group. She also leads the DB business and proposition development for corporate pension schemes. Pretty holds Executive responsibility for sponsorship of the Diverse Abilities network.
Pretty has over 20 years of pensions and life insurance experience gained through a career in Investment Banking and Insurance. Prior to Just, Pretty was Head of New Business and Pensions at Athora, a European Insurance consolidator, where she was responsible for developing the new business franchise to support their growth. Pretty has also worked in pricing and execution for Legal and General, and insurance and pension solutions at Deutsche Bank.
Outside of Just, Pretty is a Trustee for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.