Nest bolstered by responsible investment and user experience design expertise

Nest Pension has today announced two appointments to its governance structure. Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott MBE MP has reappointed Karen Cham to the Nest Board, while the Board has also appointed Katrina Shenton to Nest’s Investment Committee, the body overseeing the pension scheme’s investment strategy. 

An expert in user experience design and designing for behaviour change, Karen is also Professor of Augmented Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Design at Kingston Business School. Here she heads up the ‘The BRAINS Lab’ with behavioural scientist, Professor Gaelle Vallee Tourangeau, an interdisciplinary unit dedicated to an inclusive, ethical and sustainable digital future. Karen’s research concerns designing for persuasion, emotion, and trust, and she specialises in the digital transformation of values at scale and ethical practice.

Karen joined Nest’s Board in 2019 and has been reappointed for a second term of three years, from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2027.

Appointed for her extensive experience in both growth management and responsible investing, Katrina will bring a strong governance mindset to Nest’s investment committee. She has experience in entrepreneurship, private equity, ESG, impact investments, B-corp, climate change and renewable energy. She has been a Trustee of SolarAid, non-executive director and Chair of the Investment Committee for Applerigg Limited, and a member of Octopus Investments Responsible Investment Committee. Katrina is also on the Board of the COIF Charity Funds (c. £8bn) that are managed by CCLA Fund Management.  

Katrina has been appointed as a special member of Nest’s Investment Committee for a term of three years, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2026.

Commenting on the appointments, Brendan McCafferty, Chair of Nest, said:

“Nest’s Board thrives on diversity of thought and backgrounds – Karen’s experience in digital transformation, design and user experience has been key to supporting the Board’s focus on how technology can help communicate and engage with our members. Katrina’s strong governance mindset combined with her experience and passion for responsible investment and ESG will help further strengthen our investment committee as we continue to grow and invest for our members.

‘These appointments ensure we have the right skills and experience to support our governance framework during this busy and strategic time for Nest. I look forward to Karen’s continued support and Katrina’s new involvement.”