Standard Life appoints COO for pensions and savings business

Standard Life has appointed Gail Izat (pictured) as chief operating officer (COO) for its pensions and savings business. 

Izat will lead strategy, transformation, integration and risk activity for the unit as Standard Life continues to grow following its acquisition of Aegon UK.

Izat was previously managing director for workplace since 2019 and also took on retail intermediary responsibilities. 

Emma Furlonger will become interim managing director for workplace and retail intermediary until recruitment is complete. 

Angela Byrne, CEO of pensions and savings at Standard Life, said: “These appointments are a recognition of the impact that both Gail and Emma have made at Standard Life. 

“Under Gail’s leadership Standard Life has become a top three player in Workplace and has set out a clear direction for our Retail Intermediary offer. 

“In her new role she will look more broadly at how we deliver the P&S strategy for our 12 million customers.”

Byrne added: “Emma is ideally placed to step into Gail’s shoes given how closely they’ve worked together over the last five years.