What are Independent Governance Committees?
Independent Governance Committees (IGCs) were established by workplace pension providers in April 2015, following the introduction of new rules from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Their purpose is to ensure that your pension with Aviva provides value for money.
Aviva and the Independent Governance Committee
The Independent Governance Committee act solely in the interests of scheme members and operate independently of Aviva.
We assess and, where necessary, challenge Aviva on the value for money of workplace personal pension schemes, including for those members who have now left their employer.
Our role is to:
- Assess the value for money of your workplace pensions on an ongoing basis, using a 'Value for Money Framework'
- Assess the quality of benefits and services and minimum governance standards
- Consider whether costs and charges are fair and appropriate for the services provided and improve transparency
- Raise any concerns we have to the Aviva Board in the first instance, and ultimately, to the FCA should we feel our concerns have not been adequately addressed
Annual reports
We'll produce annual reports telling members about the work we’ve done to ensure value for money. The latest reports can be accessed below.
We want to hear your views. If you’d like to get in touch, email us at IGC@aviva.com.
Members of the Independent Governance Committee
Independent Chair
Mark Thompson
Mark is an experienced investment and pensions professional with extensive expertise in the governance of workplace pensions and the assessment of value for money for policyholders. He has previously served on the Independent Governance Committees of Scottish Widows and Zurich, where he focused on the value for money of workplace pension investment propositions. Mark also brings significant experience of defined contribution and defined benefit pension arrangements, investment strategy and sustainable investment.
Independent member
Ian Baines
Ian is an experienced pension professional who has helped manage a number of workplace pensions for several large UK employers. He was formerly head of pensions at Nationwide Building Society where his team won team of the year at Nationwide's annual awards for their work in promoting employee pension savings.
Independent member
Georgia Stewart
Georgia is co-founder and CEO of Tumelo, a company which inspires and enables pension members to engage with companies they are invested in on issues they care about, such as gender equality, human rights, and climate change. Her passion for Environmental, Social and Governance considerations and member engagement will help the IGC monitor Aviva's net zero carbon ambitions, both from a corporate and investment perspective.
Independent member
Jenny Segal
Jenny is a professional speaker on workplace culture and helping business performance, and has written five books on motivation at work. She is an actuary and is Chief Investment Officer for Nesta Trust. She has specialised in leading global sales teams for large asset management companies, most recently as Global Head of Distribution for Fidelity International’s Workplace Investing business.
Independent member
Rene Poisson
Rene is Chair of the JP Morgan UK Pension Plan, chairs the Advisory Committee for several Five Arrows Direct Lending funds, and is an Adviser to World Mobile and Globaltech Corporation. Rene has a range of experience across UK defined contribution pensions with previous roles that include Chair of the Standard Life IGC, Director of the Standard Life Master Trust, and Director of the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
Firm-appointed member
Simon Ellis
Simon has worked at Aviva for over 20 years across a range of business areas and has served as Workplace Commercial Director since 2024. Simon has played an integral role in the success of the workplace pensions business and was appointed as the firm-appointed member of the Independent Governance Committee in July 2026. Simon brings extensive workplace pensions experience and a strong passion for supporting the IGC’s development.