Mark Fawcett appointed new chairman of EDHEC-Risk Institute’s international advisory board
NEST was set up specifically to support changes that meant UK employers now have to automatically enrol their workers into a workplace pension scheme. Since its creation in 2011 NEST has become one of the largest master trusts in the UK and currently has over 200,000 employers signed up, 3.7 million members and over £1.2 billion assets under management.
“EDHEC-Risk Institute is extremely fortunate to have in its new board chair such an experienced and talented individual,” said Lionel Martellini, Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School and Director of EDHEC-Risk Institute. He continued, “Mark Fawcett has been a tremendously active board member over the past six years, and we look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with him. Mark will bring a wealth of experience in the retirement space, which is an extremely relevant fit with respect to our Institute’s increased focus on welfare improving investment solutions for both institutional and individual investors.”
Mark said, “I’m delighted to be appointed chair. I look forward to supporting EDHEC-Risk Institute in continuing to deliver actionable insights for asset owners and managers with a view to generating better returns for investors. This type of thought leadership is particularly pertinent given the shifting regulatory and economic outlook in the UK and globally.”
As chairman, Mark succeeds Tomas Franzén, former Chief Investment Strategist with Andra AP-fonden (AP2) and Founder of Franzen Advisory.
Mark has been an investment manager for over 27 years and has a wealth of senior leadership experience at a variety of institutions.
He was head of Japanese equities at Gartmore, and held the role of chief investment officer at American Express Asset Management International.
Before joining NEST, Mark was a partner at the boutique investment manager Thames River Capital LLP.
The role of EDHEC-Risk Institute’s international advisory board is to consult on the relevance and goals of the research programme proposals presented by the centre’s management and to evaluate research outcomes with respect to their potential impact on industry practices. The 35 members of the board also advise on the objectives and contents of projects deriving from the expertise of the research centre.
