The Future of Life and Long-Term Savings

Nick Dixon

Marketing Director, Skandia

Biography

After studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University, Nick joined Royal Dutch Shell in 1987. Roles included restructuring the UK filling station network and assessing gas investments in Russia and Nigeria.

In 1996 Nick gained an MBA from Columbia University, New York. He then joined strategy consultant Booz & Co where he worked until 2002, initially in New York. Clients included:- Monsanto, Exxon Mobil, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and ABB.

Nick has worked at Skandia since 2002, first as Strategy Director and as Marketing Director since 2007.

Ian Taylor

Chief Executive Officer, Transact

Biography

Ian Taylor is the Chief Executive of Transact and has been with the wrap service since its beginnings in 1999. Prior to that he spent seven years in asset management and five in the life industry - in a variety of roles mainly involving marketing, business start-up and and strategic planning.

Toby Strauss

MD, Life, Pensions & Investments, Lloyds Banking Group

Biography

Toby Strauss joined Lloyds Banking Group as Group Director for Insurance in October. Toby leads Insurance as a whole, in addition to his role as MD of the Life, Pensions and Investments business.

Toby was UK Life CEO at Aviva and prior to this he was Chief Operating Officer for UK Life, having joined Aviva in 2008. 

He previously worked at Charcol, becoming Managing Director before moving to JS & P as Chief Executive.

Before to 2002, Toby spent a number of years at McKinsey, specialising in the financial services and technology sectors.

Steve Webb

Pensions Minister, Department for Work & Pensions

Biography

In 1997, Steve Webb became the Liberal Democrat MP for Northavon.  Boundary changes in May 2010 created a new constituency of Thornbury and Yate.  At the last election, Steve became the first MP for this new area, which includes most of his former Northavon constituency, and is where he lives with his wife and two children.

Steve was appointed Minister of State for Pensions in May 2010, in the new Coalition Government.  Prior to that, Steve was the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Work and Pensions (1999 to 2005), Health (2005), Environment, Energy, Food and Rural Affairs (2007), Energy and Climate Change (2008), before returning to Work and Pensions in 2009.  Steve also chaired the Liberal Democrat Manifesto Group in 2006.

Before being elected, Steve studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics at Hertford College, Oxford.  Between 1986 and 1995, Steve worked as an economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies before being appointed Professor of Social Policy at Bath University.

Aside from his parliamentary duties, Steve is actively involved in the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship and cites his hobbies as information technology, music, and being an armchair supporter of West Bromwich Albion.

Mike Kellard

Chief Executive Officer, AXA Wealth

Biography

Mike Kellard is CEO, AXA Wealth. AXA Wealth comprises AXA Distribution Services (home of Elevate, the award-winning wrap platform), Architas Multi-Manager, AXA Winterthur Wealth Management, Bancassurance and AXA Wealth International, including AXA's Isle of Man and Dublin-based operations.

Following AXA's acquisition of the Winterthur Group in 2006, Mike was appointed CEO of AXA's Wealth Management business. At this time he was also appointed to the Executive Committee of AXA UK, a reflection of the strategic importance of his role.

In 1999, Mike joined Winterthur Life as sales director. He subsequently became managing director of Winterthur Life's Professional Advisers Division, where he was responsible for all sales, marketing and administration functions. In 2003, Mike was appointed CEO Winterthur Life UK Ltd.

Mike Kellard has 22 years experience working in the investment and life and pensions markets. He has held a variety of industry positions including head of distribution for Norwich Union.

Mike, who lives in Hampshire, is married with two young sons and enjoys golf, tennis, badminton, skiing and sailing.

Trevor Matthews

Executive Director, Developed Markets, Aviva

Biography

Trevor Matthews joined Aviva in December 2011 as Chief Executive of Aviva UK which comprises the Life and Pensions and General Insurance businesses. Trevor is also on the Board of Aviva plc and a member of Aviva's executive committee.

Between July 2008 and June 2010 Trevor was director and Chief Executive Officer of Friends Provident plc (subsequently Friends Life). Prior to this he was Chief Executive of Standard Life Assurance limited from 2004 to July 2008. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Japan from 2001 to 2004 and Executive Vice President of Canadian Operations and Chairman of Manulife Bank from 1998 to 2001. Between 1996 and 1998 Trevor was General Manager Personal Financial Services of National Australia Bank and Managing Director, Legal & General Assurance Holdings Australia Limited from 1989 to 1996.

Trevor is Chairman of the Financial Skills Partnership and was President of the Chartered Insurance Institute from July 2008 to July 2009. In 1997 he was President of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (Centenary Year).