I enjoy walking, listening to live music and, when the climate allows, heading onto the water boating and taking in the views and fresh air out at sea.

I am currently the HR Leader for our UK Power Conversion business and I felt the opportunity to become a Trustee would provide for new challenges and give me the opportunity to work with a wide network of people both inside and outside of the GE business.

Being a Trustee gives me a real ‘buzz’ and it is exciting to see so much positive energy in the Trustee team to deliver a seamless service to every single member.

It’s surprised me how I’ve been able to make a positive difference and to stretch myself out of my comfort zone on topics that are often complex and challenging.

If you’re thinking about joining the Trustee Talent Team, don’t think too hard about stepping forward. Every single one of us is on an ongoing development journey and the support and direction that is open to the TTT from some great scheme advisers and from fellow Trustee colleagues is fabulous and available to anyone deciding to jump on the TTT programme.

Hi, I’m Helena, I’m a Member Nominated Trustee

I make a difference to the GEVPTL Board because I am passionate about ensuring people understand their pension, I contribute to decision making and making sure that member’s voices are heard.

Now that I don’t work full time (re-firing not retiring) I spend my time:

• Travelling around the UK in my Motorhome exploring the wonderful countryside we have on our doorstep
• Supporting my daughters as they embark on their independent lives, continuing to be a positive role model
• Using my skills and knowledge to contribute in the voluntary sector, focusing on organisations that want to make a difference within local communities and aspiring to make a difference to people’s lives.

I really enjoy spending time outside, I love walking with my chocolate Labrador – I find I have my best thoughts and ideas while I am walking and enjoying the open air. I also enjoy the occasional yoga class.

When I joined the TTT, the things I enjoyed were variety and complexity! I enjoy having the opportunity to contribute and participate in decision making, representing the members of the scheme and ensuring member involvement and engagement is a natural part of our thought process.

The thing I love most about the Trustee Board is that we all bring a diverse range of knowledge, experiences and backgrounds and this diversity leads to healthy debates and discussions, ultimately supporting effective decision making that ensures we fulfil our responsibilities as a trustee board.

Hi, I’m Stu Bage I’m a CNTD role. I make a difference to the GEVPTL Board because I am enthusiastic, passionate and happy to speak up.

As well as a Trustee, I’m also involved in many active things - I am Search and Rescue technician volunteering with LeicSAR Lowland Rescue, as well as keeping fit through Rugby and a black belt in Taekwondo.

I am most passionate about Rugby and my favourite way to spend my spare time is to play or referee on a rugby pitch. It’s a sport I have been involved in for over 40 years and still enjoy every aspect of it.

One of the main things I have learnt since being a Trustee is… there is so much I didn’t know about the scheme but I have really enjoyed learning and expanding my knowledge. Its always good to learn new things.

When I retire, I’d like to… take time out and go on a Lions tour following the team as they travel round, ideally in New Zealand. A once in a lifetime holiday for me.

I enjoy watching sports, particularly football, cricket and golf and try to keep fit at the gym. Outside of this, my time is mainly spent with my wife and two daughters and socialising with friends. 

I’m currently the Global Compliance Leader for FieldCore which is the Services part of GE and supports Power and Renewables businesses. 

I first got involved with the Trustee through my compliance role in GE, working as a co-optee (a precursor to the TTT roles) and from there got really interested in the running of the Scheme. When I was asked to join as a Trustee, I jumped at the chance and have been enjoying it ever since. 

The thing I enjoy most about being a Trustee is the variety and opportunities to learn and work with some very knowledgeable people. I didn’t appreciate how much there is to run a pension scheme, from the admin, to investments, to governance and pensions law and regulations. It’s also great to learn from each other on the Board and see how together we keep the members’ best interests at the front of all we do. 

I’ve been surprised by the incredible amount of work that happens on a daily basis to enable a pension scheme to run successfully.  

If you’re thinking about joining the Trustee Talent Team, just go for it. We welcome everyone, you don’t need to be a pensions expert, just bring yourself to the table and prepare to learn something new and rewarding.

I’m passionate about the community, and love to fundraise for many causes. I also enjoy long rural walks with the dogs and loathe shopping!

I’m currently a Global QMS leader for GE Gas Power and when I saw the Trustee Talent Team information, I was very interested. Firstly, because I had been a trustee of a small local charity and knew the work that went into it and the rewards you got out of it, and secondly because, like most people, as I get older, I seem to be more interested in my pension.

The Trustee Talent Team gives you the opportunity to try out being a Trustee. It has given me the time to learn and the first nine months were all basic training, attending the various board meetings and essentially getting to know the team.

The most surprising thing about it so far is that it’s taken more time than I envisaged, but it has been a particularly busy year. As one topic is managed effectively, another one is beginning its journey, so there’s plenty to get involved in.

The thing I enjoy most about being in the TTT is the diversity. I am looking forward to a fulfilling 2023 with the team.

If you’re thinking about applying, do it! Who knows what they want out of their Pensions and Trustees better than you?

I live in the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire with my long-term partner, our two teenage boys and pet labradoodle. I’m a keen mountain biker, occasional runner, clumsy skier and generally just love being outdoors. I’m also a season ticket holder at Leicester City and am now getting used to reality again after several years of success! I have been the Pensions Manager for the GEAPS since 2016. I represent GE as the Scheme sponsor, working closely with the Trustees and attending all the board and committee meetings, and helping to shape the strategy for the Scheme. I have actually worked on the Scheme for 20 years now in various roles and have seen a lot of positive change during this time, particularly following the acquisition of Alstom by GE in 2015, which has helped get the Scheme into a much stronger position in terms of both funding and governance.

Occasionally there are challenging discussions between the Company and Trustees, but our relationship is one of collaboration and trust and we are usually able to agree a solution that works for both parties….and ultimately the Scheme members. A more recent development has been the introduction of the Trustee Talent Team which is helping to bring more diversity and energy to the Trustee Board. It has been great to see members of the Scheme take the plunge having had little or no pensions exposure previously and seeing them develop, gain in confidence, then make the transition to MNTD and make a real difference to the way the Scheme is run. So why not give it a try yourself……and see if you can make a difference!

Watch the above video to find out more about George.

I like to walk my two dogs, spend time with family and friends, and love being by the coast.

I’m a HR Partner and I was interested in joining the TTT to build on my knowledge and learning, and recognising the importance of pensions to employees.

The Trustee Talent Team is a very supportive team. There are great learning opportunities, a team who value your input, and experts who support the team. I enjoy working with a team who have a range of skills and expertise.

What’s surprised me is that you need to dedicate time to learning but you know that you are well supported in the time available to you to learn.

If you’re thinking about joining the Trustee Talent Team, I’d recommend talking to a Trustee or someone on the TTT to get a sense of what is involved.

Outside the work environment, I run to try and keep fit, play the guitar (badly!), enjoy fell walking and listening to music; my real passion is classical music and the Liverpool Philharmonic especially supporting their In Harmony programme that helps youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds learn to play an instrument.

Before I retired I was in UK renewable business development with Alstom then GE. I wanted to become a Trustee so that I could make a contribution to the Scheme and put something back – some of my colleagues had already done this in the past; and I was curious about the mysteries of the pension world having spent all of my career in engineering.

I enjoy working with fellow Trustees, TTT members and our advisers – at Board meetings, on the committees and in smaller working groups – to try and navigate the best possible future path for the Scheme and our members. It gives me a real sense of satisfaction.  

I’ve been surprised by the diversity of thinking styles around the table and the fresh perspectives brought by individuals is a constant source of surprise (and delight!) to me. My preconceptions about the pensions industry being ‘dusty and crusty’ have been completely blown away – it is a vibrant environment full of talented and engaging people.

If you’re thinking about joining the Trustee Talent Team, just do it – take the plunge and, even if it turns out not be for you, you’ll learn a lot. When I became a Trustee, the TTT didn’t exist, so I had to jump in at the deep end so to speak. Given my time over, I would have certainly welcomed the chance to go in at the shallow end first! We are a really friendly bunch.

I love to travel and see different cultures and maybe even learn to cook food from that country. My ideal holiday is to wrap in Formula One races. I’ve followed since I was a child and do my best to never miss qualifiers and the race. I never answer the phone when I’m watching F1.

I retired from GE in the summer of 2022, but before that I was pensions manager at GE for the last 7 years, having been in pensions for over 30 years. I love pensions, and really enjoy working with the advisers and the diversity of the other Trustees, so I was very pleased to be asked to stay as a company-nominated trustee when I retired.

As a Trustee, you get to work with diverse and interesting people, make a difference, and you are always learning something new and interesting. I was surprised how enjoyable and rewarding it is.

If you’re thinking about joining the Trustee Talent Team, I’d suggest you do some research by looking at The Pensions Regulator website, but most importantly, if you think it’s interesting, apply and give it a try. You can then see if it’s something you’re interested in while you learn about pensions and running the Scheme.

As a family, we recently moved to Suffolk (from Leicestershire) so we spend a lot of time exploring the local area, walking the dogs and supporting local charities and community groups. We are spoilt having Snape Maltings on hand and we regularly attend concerts from a wide range of genres. My main passion is Newcastle United and I am thoroughly enjoying the recent upturn in fortunes on the pitch, as well as dreaming about who we might sign in the future.

I’m currently the resident site manager for GE at a power station in the UK. I wanted to offer my help and support the Scheme at a time when a number of experienced Trustees were leaving. I was also looking to gain an understanding of an area I knew very little about, other than appreciating how important pensions are for people’s retirement.

Not knowing what’s involved can put some people off from applying to be a Trustee. We realised that we needed a different approach to enable a greater cross-section of members an opportunity to consider becoming Trustees and create a succession pipeline in a relaxed, inclusive manner. Hence the TTT. Since inception we have attracted a much more diverse cohort of applicants which has further enhanced the team and improved our overall effectiveness.

The thing I enjoy most about being a Trustee is being part of an awesome team that all share common objectives with a desire to make sure our pension members are best served and receive their pensions on time, error free. We are supported by some amazing advisers who collectively ensure we run a very good scheme.

The thing that has surprised me most about being a Trustee is that it’s been better than expected –being part of a team that has a common purpose, with total focus on the members. Over the years we have significantly improved the way the Scheme is run, the way we communicate to members and the accuracy of the member data we hold. The funding position is much healthier now and it’s great to reflect on what a great team it is to be part of. Being a Trustee is highly rewarding.

If you have any interest in becoming a pension Trustee, then simply go for it. If selected, it’s an easy ‘try before you buy’ way to see exactly what’s involved, whilst in parallel gaining the necessary skills and knowledge and getting to know the other trustees and advisers, which gives you the confidence to know that when you start, you can fully contribute from day one.

Hi, I’m Craig and I’m part of the Trustee Talent Team.

Whilst only recently joining the TTT I have been made very welcome by the Trustees who have been open and available to help in my learning and understanding of the pension schemes under our responsibility. I hope to make a difference to the GEVPTL Board using skills acquired as a Chartered Accountant and decades of experience within the finance function at General Electric.

My favourite way to spend my time is with my wife and three teenage children who all have a broad range of passions for very different hobbies outside of school including cricket, climbing and musical theatre. Family holidays are often focused around the beach/sea where we all enjoy scuba diving. I am also a keen follower of rugby union and in particular the Welsh national team where I enjoy attending matches at the Millennium Stadium.

Since becoming a member of the TTT I have been most impressed by the knowledge and passion that the Board of Trustees commit towards equality, diversity and inclusion. I feel that this is an integral part as to how we as a team discuss challenging topics and reach optimal decisions for our members.

When I retire, I would like to travel and see more of the word, especially Asia or possibly an Ashes Test Match in Australia.

Having studied Mechanical Engineering and Economics at Birmingham University, followed by a Chinese language course in Beijing, I started my career with GEC in 1988 as a Project Engineer working at the site of the Yueyang Power Station project in China. After a stint in the Tendering Department, I was given the opportunity to move first to Taiwan and then Shanghai, to take up project commercial management roles on the Ho-Ping and Waigaoqiao power station projects.

In 2004 I left Alstom and moved to Hong Kong to work for CLP Holdings Limited, the power utility serving around 80% of the population of Hong Kong. Starting as the head of procurement for a major emissions reduction project at the Castle Peak B power station, I stayed with CLP until I retired in late 2022, having moved through a variety of roles, including taking on responsibility for the CLP Group’s investments in Taiwan and South-East Asia and finally leading the Renewable Energy projects and operations team.

I am married with two adult children. Now getting used to not being in full-time work, my wife and I are enjoying renovating our house in England and travelling to the remote places in China that we have never previously had time to visit.

Hello - I’m Jamille McCullough and a member of the TTT (Talent Trustee Team).

I make a difference to the GEVPTL Board because I’m collaborative, a strategic thinker and an effective communicator.

As well as a Trustee, I’m also a hot yoga enthusiast who enjoys spending time with my friends and fur baby Matteo.

I’m most passionate about supporting people from disadvantaged communities. I have supported orphanages in Africa and will often bring donations with me when travelling to various countries to support the local communities during my visit. My purpose in life is to help others which bring me joy and fulfilment.

The best holiday I ever went on was Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda. The experience was surreal and a testimony to my bravery that I will cherish forever as I had the opportunity to be in the presence of a Silverback who decided to sit next to me. The gorillas are gentle giants, and I felt a sense of calmness in their natural habitat.

I became a Trustee because I wanted to contribute to the operation of the pension scheme which will not only affect me, but all members to make a difference in their lives.

When I retire, I would like to devote the remainder of my life to the charitable causes that I support on a much wider scale by devoting more of my personal time and financial means with the intent of establishing a trust to continue my efforts upon my death.