Engage Smarter AI has appointed Andy Dickson as market strategy director.

Before joining Engage Smarter AI, Dickson worked on strategic development projects with Aegon and Atlas (now SEI) master trusts. He previously spent 25 years at Standard Life Group, where he worked within the group’s defined contribution corporate business and as an investment director within the asset management arm. Commenting on his appointment, Dickson said: “I am delighted to be joining Engage Smarter AI at this exciting time. I look forward to sharing their insights and thought leadership on how new technology and AI can rapidly transform pension scheme member engagement and achieve cost efficiencies.”

Aon has named Mike Pedel as head of global benefits.

Pedel, who has worked for Aon for the past 14 years in various leadership roles, will lead the global benefits team effectively immediately. He will join the Human Capital Executive Committee and be based out of London. His role will include leading Aon’s health solutions for multinationals and international wealth teams as one team.

M&G plc has appointed Elisabeth Stheeman as non-executive director, effective from 1 August.

She will also become a member of the Audit and Risk Committees on the same date. Stheeman has non-executive experience on various boards and organisations in the public and private sectors in the UK, Germany, and France. She is currently chair of the Edinburgh Investment Trust plc, a non-executive director of W.P. Carey Inc and an external member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Stheeman has over 30 years of executive experience in a range of sectors. She came to the end of her final terms on the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee in February 2024 and the Bank of England’s Financial Markets Infrastructure in December 2023. Alongside this appointment, M&G plc announced that Clare Thompson has been appointed as senior independent non-executive director (SID), after been appointed as acting SID in 24 May 2023.

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