Isabel Hudson to join BT Board

Isabel Hudson, non-executive Chair of the National House Building Council (NHBC) is to join the BT Board as a non-executive director and a member of the BT Pensions Committee. Her appointment takes effect from 1 November 2014.

Isabel has had an extensive career in financial services in the life, non-life and pensions industries in a number of senior roles, including in M&A and as finance director. She has worked both in the UK and in continental Europe.

Isabel joined the NHBC in 2011 becoming chair of the Board in November 2011. She is currently a non-executive director of Phoenix Group, the UK’s largest closed life and pension fund consolidator, QBE insurance, one of the largest property casualty global insurers in Australia (where she chairs the remuneration committee), and an ambassador for the disability charity, SCOPE. In 2009 Isabel became a non-executive director of The Pensions Regulator.

Isabel was previously an executive director of Prudential Assurance Company in the UK and non-executive director of MGM Advantage (an annuity based mutual insurer) where she was chair of the audit committee. She was also chief executive officer and co-founder of Synesis Life, a specialist annuity pensions buy-out life insurer.

In welcoming the appointment, BT’s Chairman, Sir Michael Rake, said: “It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Isabel to BT. Isabel’s insight and experience in the regulatory, pensions and financial industries will be a strong asset for BT and its Board.”

Isabel added: “I’m really looking forward to joining BT at such an exciting time in the execution of its strategy.”

Isabel Hudson biography
Isabel Hudson joined the NHBC in 2011 and became chair of the Board in November 2011. In this role she has exposure to government as well as awareness of the regulatory issues surrounding a business with 80% market share.

Isabel has served as a non-executive director of Phoenix Group, the UK’s largest closed life and pension fund consolidators, since 2010. Isabel is also a member of its remuneration and audit committees.

Since 2005, Isabel has been a non-exective director of QBE Insurance, one of the largest property casualty global insurers, providing insurance services in Australia, Europe, North Americaand Latin America /Asia Pacific. Isabel chairs the remuneration committee and is a member of the audit committee.

Isabel is married (with two daughters) and was educated at Oxford University. She has an MA in French and German (First Class).

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