Barnett Waddingham has appointed Baroness Helena Morrissey as non-executive chairwoman of its management board, effective from 1 January 2025.
As chairwoman she will be responsible for providing independent oversight of the firm’s strategy and governance, while aiming to ensure the board maintains the highest standards of decision-making and accountability.
She will work with senior partner Andrew Vaughan and four managing partners.
Baroness Morrissey (pictured) will also act as a strategic sounding board for the management team, promoting open dialogue and constructive challenge while championing the firm’s commitment to service innovation, technological advancement, and cultivating talent.
She will also aim to provide valuable external perspective to help drive the firm’s continued evolution while preserving its core values and culture.
A former CEO of Newton Investment Management, she currently chairs the boards of Fidelis Insurance Group and Altum Group and has previously held a number of other non-executive roles, including chairwoman of the Investment Association from 2014 to 2017.
Baroness Morrissey founded the 30% club in 2010, which has been instrumental in promoting gender-balanced boards, and currently chairs the Diversity Project, of which Barnett Waddingham is a member.
As a result of her work, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to diversity in financial services.
She succeeds Elizabeth Renshaw-Ames, who leaves the role after six years.
Baroness Morrissey said: “BW is a hugely exciting company.
“Its impressive growth ambitions, strong culture, and high calibre of people and talent set it apart as a truly leading consultancy.
“I look forward to working with Andrew and his team to build on the firm’s growth and evolution.”
Vaughan added: “Our business is at an exciting moment, with evolution and growth core tenets of our future-proofed strategy.
“Helena, with her exceptional industry expertise and leadership skills, will be invaluable in helping us achieve our strategic ambitions.
“I offer all of our thanks to Elizabeth for her hard work and expertise over the last six years, a period defined by impressive growth against a backdrop of external challenges and an immense pace of change.
“Her unwavering commitment to doing the right thing helped us navigate those years while upholding a true partnership between our people, our services, and our clients.”