Phil Brown joins Pensions UK as Head of DC alongside additional appointments
11 February 2026, Press Release
Brown is well known across the industry for his work shaping policy, improving consumer outcomes and supporting the development of a more effective and accessible retirement system.
Over his career, Brown has held senior roles including Director of Policy & External Affairs at Nest, Director of Policy & External Affairs at People’s Partnership, Head of Policy at LV=, and senior policy work at the Financial Services Authority, as well as working as an independent consultant. His experience spans policy development, regulatory engagement, operational delivery and consumer-focused pension reform. He has also contributed extensively to industry-wide initiatives through committees and groups at Pensions UK, the ABI, ILAG, PICA, the Money Advice Service and HM Treasury’s FinTech and InsureTech boards.
Alongside Brown’s appointment, Pensions UK has welcomed Joe Osborne, Nebojsa Martinovic, Sophie Smith and Jananie Janarthana to its policy and advocacy team. Each is already contributing to consultation responses, member engagement and work across the Pension Schemes Bill, value for money, consolidation and long-term system design.
Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Pensions UK, said: “Phil steps into this role at a point where the decisions we make on DC policy will influence saver outcomes into the 2030s and beyond. His track record in policy, and his ability to turn complex issues into workable solutions, fits naturally with the direction of travel across our programme.
“Pensions UK has set out a clear path through the 2030 Ready strategy, and the work across policy and strategy builds on the strong foundations already in place. Phil joins a team already deeply engaged in that agenda, and his experience will continue to strengthen our work with members, regulators and government together around solutions that hold up in practice.”
Phil Brown, Head of DC at Pensions UK, said: “The challenges facing DC savers today are structural, long-term and increasingly interconnected, and Pensions UK has been one of the consistent voices pushing for solutions that balance ambition with practicality. That has always been my own approach - policy that delivers real value, supports good choices and reflects how people actually save and retire.
“Pensions UK’s commitment to the saver, and to building a system that is 2030 ready, aligns closely with the work I have done throughout my career. Joining the team at this moment creates an opportunity to help shape reforms that endure and to contribute to the conversations that will define better retirement outcomes for millions.”
Additional appointments across DC, DB and investment policy
Joe has nearly a decade of experience in public policy, underpinned by qualifications from the University of Portsmouth and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Before joining Pensions UK, Joe has worked as a Parliamentary Researcher, gaining hands‑on experience working to influence policy from housing to international human rights, before moving into local government where he specialised across a broad range of policy areas.
- Nebojsa Martinovic, Policy Lead
Nebojsa is a public affairs and policy professional with experience across central and local government, specialising in evidence-based policymaking, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication. He currently leads policy work at Pensions UK, focusing on regulatory and market issues affecting the UK pensions sector.
Prior to joining Pensions UK, Nebojsa was a Senior Policy Advisor at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and has held policy roles in local government in London and Edinburgh. He holds an MSc in Social Policy and Social Interventions from Utrecht University and has a strong interest in translating complex policy issues into clear, practical outcomes.
- Sophie Smith, Senior Policy Adviser
Sophie joined Pensions UK in January as a Senior Policy Advisor in the DC policy team. Prior to this, she worked in both pensions journalism and PR, most recently as Deputy Editor at Pensions Age and European Pensions, and has been shortlisted for several industry awards. Sophie graduated from University of Warwick with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.
- Jananie Janarthana, Senior Policy Adviser
Jananie joined Pensions UK in December 2025, bringing ten years of experience across government, research, and trade unions in Australia. She served as an Adviser to the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage, where she led parliamentary strategy and stakeholder engagement. Throughout her career, she has built a strong track record of delivering clear, practical communications and policy outcomes.
She holds a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences from the University of Sydney.
These colleagues support member engagement and technical policy development across a wide‑ranging programme of work.
ENDS
Mark Smith, Head of Media Relations
020 7601 1726 | [email protected]
Cali Sullivan, Senior PR Manager
020 7601 1761 | [email protected]