The board of Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd is supported by a number of executives of the trustee company. Below are details of the trustee company senior executives.
Tom Merchant
Chief Executive
Tom was appointed Chief Executive in February 2004 following a seven month period during which he acted as interim chief executive of the trustee company. He has previously worked as an advisor to a Middle Eastern government and in the private sector in the UK, South Africa and Australia. He holds a BSc degree from UCT and an MBA from Cranfield.
Roger Gray
Chief Investment Officer
Roger was appointed Chief Investment Officer in September 2009. He was previously Chief Investment Officer for Hermes Fund Managers, Global Head of Asset Allocation and Currency for UBS Global Asset Management, CEO/CIO for UBS Asset Management Switzerland and CIO at Rothschild Asset Management. He has an MA from Oxford University in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and an AM in Economics from Harvard University. At Harvard, he was a teaching fellow in International Trade and Finance and Commodities and Securities markets.
David Webster
Chief Financial Officer
David was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the trustee company in March 2011. He was previously the chief operating officer for Deutsche Bank's UK wealth management business and group finance director at Tilney Investment Management in Liverpool. David is a chartered accountant having qualified with KPMG in 1991.
Andrew Little
Chief Administrative Officer
Andrew was appointed in November 2007 as Head of Business Services in the London Investment Office. The role was changed to Chief Administrative Officer from 1st January 2009 and Andrew is responsible for all operational issues within the London Investment Office.
Brendan Mulkern
Pensions Policy Manager
Brendan is the Pensions Policy Manager for Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited.He has worked in the pensions industry for 19 years, and was employed previously in various posts in local government, latterly as Pensions Manager at Lancashire County Council. He took up employment at USS Ltd in October 2001, and moved into the role of Pensions Policy Manager in August 2003.
Bernadine Steventon
Pensions Operations Manager
Bernie has been employed at USS since 1995 and has over 20 years working in the pensions industry in the public and private sector. Bernie is a Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute. She moved into the role of Pensions Operations Manager in August 2003.
Ian Sherlock
Company Secretary
Ian joined USS in 1993 working initially as fund accountant (payroll and contributions) and was appointed Company Secretary in 2005. Prior to joining USS Ian worked for over 10 years in a number of different roles in the insurance sector. Ian is a Chartered Accountant.
Colin Busby
Communications Manager
Colin has worked in pension scheme administration for over 30 years and was involved in setting up USS in 1975. He has had responsibility for a variety of subjects including scheme administration, policy, technical support, systems development, training and currently he is responsible for all aspects of USS's communication strategy.
Kerry Byrne
Head of Internal Audit
Kerry has been in position since October 2008, following six months as the Interim Head of Internal Audit. She has almost twelve years experience in internal audit and risk management, eleven-and-a-half years of which was with Deloitte where she gained experience in a number of sectors including financial services, higher and further education, the NHS, retail and local and central government.
Steve Grady
Head of IT
Steve has been in position since August 2010, and has over 30 years working in Engineering and IT within the public and private sector. Steve has spent the last 12 years in financial Services having previously worked in outsourcing. Steve holds an MBA (distinction) from Manchester Business School an MSc and Honours degree. Steve is also a Chartered Engineer and is Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology as well as being an accredited ISEB and MSP practitioner.