New appointments to the Nest Board

Sarah Laessig and Myfanwy Barrett have been appointed to Nest’s Board by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. 

Myfanwy Barrett has been appointed with effect from 1 July 2021 and Sarah Laessig from 1 September 2021, for a period of five years.

Appointed for her broad Board and Pensions experience, Sarah Laessig has a portfolio of roles across the public and private sectors. Following an executive career in corporate banking at Citigroup, Sarah is currently a Director of CG Pension Trustees Ltd, a Non-Executive Director of United Trust Bank, a Non-Executive Director of Local Pensions Partnership Investments Ltd (LPPI), part of the LPP Group; and a member of the Board of Advisors of data.world. Sarah has served as a Civil Service Commissioner and a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner.  She has also been a Visiting Executive at London Business School.

Myfanwy Barrett CB brings a wealth of experience in finance and audit. She is a qualified accountant (CPFA) and her executive career was in public finance – she was Corporate Director of Finance at Harrow Council and, more recently, Managing Director of Corporate Services at the House of Commons.  She has experience of leading a wide range of services, including the MPs’ pension scheme and local government pension scheme, strategic planning, people, and portfolio management. In her career as a Non-Executive Director, her focus is on improving governance, developing financial strategy, and championing diversity and inclusion. She has recently joined the board of the Pensions Ombudsman, and sits on the boards of a housing association in Cornwall and various arts organisations, including as Chair of Tate St Ives Members Committee.

In 2018 Myfanwy was awarded the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion (CB) for exemplary civilian merit. 

Ron Jarman and Ian Armfield have stepped down from the Board on 30 June, following the conclusion of their terms.

Commenting on the new Board composition, Otto Thoresen, Chair of Nest, said:

“Strong governance is key to ensuring good outcomes for our members and the employers who use Nest as their pension scheme. 

“Myfanwy and Sarah bring with them many years’ experience in finance and knowledge of the important role a Trustee Board plays in ensuring good governance. I look forward to the depth and breadth of knowledge they will bring to the Board.

“I would also like to thank Ron and Ian for their hard work and dedication during their tenures.”