Baroness Kay Swinburne is the new independent Chair of the ABI. She succeeds Baroness Nicky Morgan who was the first person to hold the role.
The position of independent Chair was created in 2021, along with the role of independent Non-Executive Director, to bring fresh perspectives, enrich diversity of experience and reinforce strong governance. Baroness Swinburne will chair the ABI Board and starts in the role with immediate effect for an initial period of three years. She joins Sacha Romanovitch as the ABI’s independent NED.
Baroness Kay Swinburne says:
“I am delighted to take up the role of ABI Chair and look forward to working with the Board members, the executive team and the sector more broadly as we build on the strong track record of insurance and long-term savings providers in recent years. There are some pressing issues ahead, particularly on consumer related matters and further supporting the UK’s economic growth. I look forward to steering the Board as we seek to find ways to help tackle these challenges.”
Baroness Nicky Morgan says:
“My time as ABI Chair coincided with significant change for the insurance and long-term savings sector as we moved into a post-Brexit and post-pandemic era, defining new regulations, the way we work and tackling consumer trust. It has been an honour to lead the ABI’s board for the past three years and to work with the ABI’s outstanding management team led by Hannah Gurga as we’ve collectively navigated these opportunities and challenges. The industry plays a vital role in securing the economy and providing peace of mind to customers. I know the work of the ABI will go from strength to strength with the guidance of Kay Swinburne.”
Andy Briggs, ABI President and CEO of Phoenix Group, says:
“Kay’s extensive experience across financial services in the UK and in Europe will be a great asset to our industry, especially at such an important time as we work to support the government’s vital growth mission. We look forward to welcoming Kay to the ABI Board.
“I’d also like to thank Nicky Morgan for her extensive contribution to the ABI, especially in driving forward our consumer-focused work and helping to establish the Investment Delivery Forum.”
Notes to Editors
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Enquiries to: |
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Sarah Aspinall |
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Helen Mitchell |
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Dr Kay Swinburne, (Baroness Swinburne)
Prior to her current legislative, advisory and FS consulting roles, Kay has had a successful career in financial services pre and post being elected to the European Parliament (2009-2019), As a leading EU legislator serving as Vice Chair of the Economics and Monetary Affairs Committee, she shaped EU and global financial services legislation.
On leaving elected office, Kay became Vice Chair of KPMG UK’s Financial Services practice and Chair of the EMA Risk & Regulatory Insight Centre. She is an active voice in the financial markets (former Chair IRSG) and has led special projects on financial regulation – including Fintech (Kalifa Review), UK competitiveness (CMIT) and capital market infrastructure (FCA advisory committee) as well as ESG issues.
Baroness Swinburne entered the House of Lords as a Peer and Government Whip (Baroness in Waiting) in June 2023 and served as a government minister in DLUHC. She continues to participate in legislation in the Lords with a particular interest in FS, fintech, AI and all things science.
About the ABI:
The ABI is the voice of the UK’s world-leading insurance and long-term savings industry, which is the largest sector in Europe and the third largest in the world. We represent more than 300 firms within our membership, including most household names and specialist providers, providing peace of mind to customers across the UK.
We are a purpose-led organisation: Together, driving change to protect and build a thriving society. On behalf of our members, we work closely with the UK’s governments, HM Treasury, regulators, consumer organisations and NGOs, to help ensure that our industry is trusted by customers, is invested in people and planet, and can drive growth and innovation through an effective market.
A productive and inclusive sector, our industry supports towns and cities across Britain in building a balanced and innovative economy, employing over 300,000 individuals in high-skilled, lifelong careers, two-thirds of whom are outside of London. Our members manage investments of £1.4 trillion, contribute £18.5 billion in taxes to the Government and support communities and businesses across the UK.