The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has today announced the election of Sophia Singleton as its next President. Her two-year term commenced on 1 June 2024, succeeding Steve Hitchiner, partner at Barnett Waddingham, who has held the role since 1 June 2022.
Under Steve’s stewardship, the SPP has continued to grow both its reach and influence. Over the last two years, the SPP has seen its membership grow by approximately 20%, and has driven a regular drumbeat of activity including events, consultation submissions and meetings with a range of industry stakeholders, all underpinned by a growing profile in the media.
This has helped the SPP continue growing as an influential voice for the whole UK pension industry, furthering its track record of influencing the effective functioning of policy and leading debate within the sector. Sophia will build on these successes, to increase the SPP’s profile and influence while aiming to establish the SPP as a champion of EDI within the industry.
Sophia is a partner and head of DC at XPS Pensions Group. She joined XPS to head up its DC business in 2020, which is when she joined the SPP Council. At XPS, she advises trustees and corporates across all areas of their DC benefits, with a particular focus on benefit design, investments, member engagement, data analytics and scheme governance.
Sophia Singleton, President-elect of the SPP, said: "On behalf of the SPP Council, I’d like to extend my gratitude to Steve for his outstanding leadership of the SPP over the past two years, which has seen the SPP build on its position as a leader and influencer within the industry. I look forward to building on this track record of success during my tenure as President.
“Looking ahead, I will work closely with industry stakeholders and policymakers to stimulate constructive policy analysis and debate to achieve the best possible outcomes for our members. In particular, I’d like to focus on ways consumer support and protections can be strengthened to improve DC outcomes, focusing on reviews of auto-enrolment, development of long-term retirement solutions and exploring how to improve investment outcomes, all while ensuring security for DB members remains a priority. We will also strengthen our role as a representative of all parts of our industry, engaging with the next generation of industry professionals and championing EDI."
Fred Emden, CEO of the Society of Pension Professionals, said: “Working with Steve for the past two years has been a privilege, and I am immensely proud of what the SPP has achieved during his tenure. I am similarly excited for the next chapter of the SPP under Sophia’s leadership. I look forward to working closely with Sophia to achieve her Presidential objectives, which will help continue to drive positive change for the SPP and industry.”
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