The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has added three new members to its Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution councils.

Mel Duffield will sit on the Defined Contribution Council, while Nicola Mark and Colin Richardson will join the Defined Benefit Council.

All three new members will assume their responsibilities after the PLSA AGM on 21 October.

Mel Duffield is head of pensions strategy and insight at the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

Since joining USS in February 2015, her remit covers employer and member insight, product strategy and employer liaison.

Prior to her role at USS, Mel was deputy director at the Pensions Policy Institute, and before that head of research and strategic policy at the PLSA.

Nicola Mark has been the head of the Norfolk Pension Fund since 2001 and also the elected practitioner representative on the Local Government Pension Scheme National Advisory Board.

She also sits on the CIPFA Pensions Panel and chairs the National LGPS Frameworks project.

Nicola was awarded an MBE for services to local government in 2015 and over the years has contributed to a number of working parties – including the Myners review and Lord Hutton's Independent Public Service Pensions Commission.

Colin Richardson is a trustee with PTL, acting for 11 occupational pension schemes, ranging up to £1billion.

Before joining PTL, he worked as an actuary and actuarial consultant with a number of major pension consulting firms.

Colin also has extensive defined contribution experience acting as a trustee for five master trusts and is a member of the Independent Governance Committee for the workplace pension for Aegon and Blackrock.

As well as the three new members, Carol Young, vice chair, and Andy Cheseldine, have been re-elected to the Defined Contribution council.

Graham Vidler, director of external affairs, pensions and lifetime savings association, said: "The experience and expertise of all three new council members comes at a time of great change for the pensions industry."

"Having Mel, Nicola and Colin on the Council will help us to continue our work to improve the nation's retirement incomes."

The PLSA's councils have a vital role, giving members the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of its policy on a wide range of pension issues.

First published 13.10.2016

Lindsay.sharman@wilmingtonplc.com