Mike J OBrien has been co-opted as an independent advisor to the Pension Protection Funds investment committee.
Working in a personal capacity, Mr O'Brien has been co-opted for three years and will provide advice and support to the existing two non-executive and two executive committee members.
Mr O'Brien is the global head of J P Morgan Asset Management's Institutional Client Group. An employee since 2010, he is responsible for overseeing the firm's institutional client business and is a member of the J P Morgan Chase & Co. Executive Committee and the Asset Management Division Operating Committee.
Previously he spent a decade at BlackRock where he was head of Institutional Business for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Before that, he worked at Towers Perrin for over 10 years where he oversaw the firm's UK and European investment consulting practice.
Mr O'Brien is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and holds a bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics from Limerick University in Ireland. He is also a CFA Charter holder and sits on the National Association of Pension Funds Investment Council in the UK.
PPF chairman, Lady Barbara Judge, commented: "We want to make sure that we have sufficient independent investment knowledge and experience on the committee to help me, and my Board colleagues, provide the right challenge and support to the executive team when making decisions.
"Mike brings a vast depth of experience to this role and I believe he will make an invaluable contribution as the PPF continues to grow its investment portfolio and moves towards financial self-sufficiency by 2030."
Mr J O'Brien added: "I am delighted to have been co-opted on to the PPF's investment committee, particularly at this important time when the organisation is set to become one of the biggest financial institutions in the UK.
"I believe I can use my personal knowledge and experience to provide the support the committee needs to make sure that its assets are invested in the best way possible so the PPF can continue to provide protection to its members, now and in the future."
