The Embark Group has appointed of Lawrence Churchill CBE as its newest member of the company’s board of directors.

The firm says Mr Churchill’s appointment, effective 1 November, adds material strength to its board as a non-executive director “with proven plc experience and his deep understanding of the retirement sector”.
 
Lawrence Churchill CBE is a highly experienced chairman, non-executive director, trustee and FTSE 100 chief executive, with an outstanding track record of success in both public and private sectors for UK and international organisations.

He is currently chairman of Clara Pensions Group, chairman of the Independent Governance Committee for Prudential and a director of Prudential Corporate Pensions Trustees.

Mr Churchill also chairs the Trustee Board of the Pensions Policy Institute.

With more than 30 years’ of board level experience in financial services, he has served as chairman of the FSCS, senior independent director of BUPA, chairman of the National Employment Savings Trust Corporation (NEST) and was the founding chairman of the Pensions Protection Fund.

His career history also includes roles as chief executive of the UK, Irish and International Life division at Zurich Financial, executive chairman of UNUM and chief executive of Natwest Life & Investments.

In addition, he has served in a non-executive capacity on the governing bodies of three regulators as well as a number of charities, trade bodies, industry think-tanks and government public policy groups.

He was awarded a CBE for services to public service in 2010.
 
David Etherington, Embark Group chairman, said: “Embark is an increasingly large and complex enterprise, operating in a rapidly changing market landscape where governance has never been more crucial.

“We welcome Lawrence to the team and he brings to our board a wealth of relevant experience and knowledge in the retirement sector and his insights will be invaluable as Embark continues its growth in the UK investment savings sector.”
 
Lawrence Churchill CBE said: “Strong governance is vital to ensure the UK pensions industry delivers good customer outcomes to the millions of UK savers and investors; whose long-term financial wellbeing is in their hands.

“Embark has been on an incredible growth journey over the last six years and has now firmly established itself as a leader in the UK retirement solutions market.

“I am excited to be joining the Group Board at this pivotal time to help steward this business as it continues to grow and provide the governance that needs to follow this.”