Joanne Segars elected chair of European Federation for Retirement Provision

Joanne Segars, Chief Executive of the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), has been elected as Chair of the European Federation for Retirement Provision (EFRP).

Ms Segars was elected to the position by members of the EFRP at its General Assembly Meeting in Dublin today (Monday). She succeeds Patrick Burke, Director of Irish Life Investment Managers. Ms Segars takes on her responsibilities immediately.

She will lead the Federation for two years, at a time when the European Union (EU) is playing an increasingly active role in the field of pensions. Ms Segars will remain Chief Executive of the NAPF.

At today’s meeting, members also agreed to rename the organisation PensionsEurope. The new name will be launched at the European Pension Funds Congress in Frankfurt on 20 November.

Ms Segars said:

“I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as chair of the EFRP, and to be the first woman to hold the position. I would like to pay tribute to the work of Patrick Burke, out-going chairman, for his leadership of the EFRP over the past two years, which has ensured the organisation continues to go from strength to strength.

“The next few years will be critical for the future direction of pensions in Europe and to the retirement prospects of Europe’s citizens. Challenges will arise from proposals on pensions portability, the role of pension funds as long-term investors in a continuing tough economic environment and, of course, the review of the IORP Directive.

“Together with the two new vice-chairs, I look forward to working with the EFRP’s Chief Executive, Matti Leppala, his team and the EFRP’s member organisations to ensure that the Federation’s voice continues to be heard and that it plays a leading role in promoting secure, adequate and sustainable workplace pensions across Europe.

“The EFRP will continue to speak for all forms of workplace pensions in Europe, whether defined benefit, defined contribution, or hybrid.”

Mark Hyde Harrison, NAPF Chairman, said:

“The EU is having an increasing influence over UK pensions, and I am very pleased that Joanne has taken the helm of the EFRP. In her new role Joanne will help the NAPF build stronger relationships with its European counterparts by putting UK pensions at the heart of Europe.”

Notes to editors:

1. The NAPF is the leading voice of workplace pensions in the UK. We speak for 1,300 pension schemes with some 16 million members and assets of around £900 billion. NAPF members also include over 400 businesses providing essential services to the pensions sector.

2. EFRP is the leading voice for workplace pensions in Europe. Its members represent 22 national pension fund associations from 20 European countries. Together they provide pensions for 75m people and own assets of 3.5tn Euro.

3. Joanne Segars became the Chief Executive of the NAPF in 2006. Prior to working at the NAPF she was senior pensions officer at the Trades Union Congress and Head of Pensions and Savings at the Association of British Insurers. Joanne served on the Board of the pensions regulator, Opra, from 1996-2003 and was awarded an OBE for services to the pensions industry in 2003.

Contacts:

Paul Platt, Head of Media and PR, NAPF, 020 7601 1717 or 07917 506 683, [email protected]

Christian Zarro, Press Officer, NAPF, 020 7601 1718 or 07825 171 446, [email protected]