Pensions UK appoints two new deputy directors to drive strategic transformation

Pensions UK is pleased to announce the appointment of Dirk Paterson and Matthew Blakstad as Deputy Directors.

The appointments strengthen the Pensions UK team following the launch of a new brand and strategy as the pensions sector enters a defining period of structural change.

Dirk Paterson joins as Deputy Director of External Affairs. He is a senior communications and strategic leader with over 25 years' experience spanning public affairs, policy, marketing and corporate communications. He joins from Business Banking Resolution Service where he was Customer Director. He previously founded a corporate communications agency which specialised in pensions and financial services and led public policy and advocacy at Nest. His career has spanned pensions, banking, technology, and third-sector leadership.

Matthew Blakstad becomes Deputy Director of Strategic Policy and Research. He is a pensions and savings expert with over 20 years’ experience translating insight into impact. Following consulting roles at PwC and Talking People, helped lead the roll-out of State and workplace pensions reforms at DWP. As a co-founder of Nest Insight, he has spent the past decade leading pioneering research that has influenced public policy on the financial security of UK households.

Both roles are newly created and designed to bolster Pensions UK’s policy, research and advocacy expertise with the Pension Schemes Bill and the Pensions Commission in progress.

Dirk Paterson, Deputy Director of External Affairs at Pensions UK: “It’s great to join the newly rebranded Pensions UK at this pivotal moment in UK pensions history. Pension provision in the UK has made massive strides over the past 20 years, but there’s so much more to do.

“I’m excited to be influencing pensions policy to improve provision so that all UK savers build adequate savings for retirement. I want to help build a policy consensus so we’re all thriving in retirement not just surviving.”

Matthew Blakstad, Deputy Director of Strategic Policy and Research at Pensions UK, said: “With pensions in the policy spotlight, this feels the perfect time to be joining Pensions UK to develop a strategic policy programme that’s fit for the future.

“Having worked as a leader within the industry, I’ve already had the pleasure of working with Pensions UK’s expert and insightful policy and research teams. Now I’m very much looking forward to joining as a colleague. We will work on an evidence base that can support the future interests of pensions savers, and the schemes that serve them.”

Julian Mund, CEO at Pensions UK, said; “Matthew and Dirk bring outstanding experience and energy to Pensions UK. As the voice of pensions, their leadership will be crucial in helping us deliver our new strategy - amplifying our voice, deepening our impact, and delivering for our members in new and better ways. Together we will continue to keep doing all we can to support better retirement incomes for everyone.”

Further details on Pensions UK’s strategy can be found here: New strategy sees PLSA become Pensions UK in defining period for retirement saving | Pensions UK

Mark Smith, Head of Media Relations
020 7601 1726 | [email protected]

Cali Sullivan, Senior PR Manager
020 7601 1761 | [email protected]