Nest appoints Ian Cornelius as Interim CEO

5 April 2024

Nest has today announced Ian Cornelius will join the pension scheme as Interim CEO following the departure of Helen Dean, CBE. Nest currently invests £39 billion on behalf of its 13 million members, making it one of the UK’s largest pension schemes.

Ian, who wIan joins Nest at a time of continued growth and customer-orientated transformation. He will take over from Helen Dean CBE, who announced last year that she would be stepping down as CEO of Nest at the end of April.ill start in the role on 1 May 2024, brings 25 years of experience in senior executive roles with leading financial services brands. The appointment is expected to be for a period of about 12 months while a permanent CEO is recruited and onboarded.

Most recently, Ian served as Interim Group CEO at Skipton Building Society – a mutual owned by its members. He was previously Skipton’s Commercial & Strategy Director for a decade.

Ian joins Nest at a time of continued growth and customer-orientated transformation. He will take over from Helen Dean CBE, who announced last year that she would be stepping down as CEO of Nest at the end of April.

Brendan McCafferty, Chair of Nest, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Ian Cornelius as our Interim CEO. Ian’s expertise and insight will be very valuable as we build on our achievements and accelerate our purpose-driven plans that put our low to middle income members at the heart of everything we do.”

“I would like to thank Helen for her leading role over decades in creating and then leading Nest as CEO for eight years.

“Her tireless focus on improving financial outcomes for all – including perhaps the most underserved in society – will transform the financial resilience and retirement of millions of citizens across the United Kingdom. She leaves an incredible and long-lasting legacy.”

Commenting on the appointment, Ian Cornelius said:

“I’m excited to be joining Nest as it continues to develop. The organisation has a unique and purposeful place in the sector and I’m looking forward to supporting the next phase of its future.”

Helen and Ian will work together during a short handover period before she leaves on 30 April. Ian will also join Nest’s board and take on the role of Accounting Officer. The Board of Nest will run an open process to appoint a permanent CEO during the course of 2024.

Source: Nest