Russell Picot became a Director of Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited on 1 February 2021 and became Deputy Chair on 1 September 2021. Russell is also the Chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Group Audit & Risk Committee.
Russell is a former HSBC Group Chief Accounting Officer and brings extensive experience in pensions and broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. He left HSBC in 2016 after more than two decades with the bank. He was appointed a trustee of the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme in 1999, served as Chair of its Investment Committee between 2013 and 2014, and was Chair of the Board from 2017 to 2025.
Russell was formerly a trustee of the DC Master Trust LifeSight and has held roles with several accounting bodies. He was also Special Adviser to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
He is a Chartered Accountant and an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee.