Global pensions and investment leader joins Standard Life as it strengthens its investment capabilities to deliver better customer outcomes

Standard Life plc, a retirement specialist focused entirely on saving and income, today announces the appointment of Michelle Ostermann as CEO Retirement Solutions (RS) and Group Chief Investment Officer (CIO) subject to regulatory approvals.

Michelle brings more than 30 years of global experience across pensions, insurance and investment management in the UK and Canada. Her career includes 18 years with three major Canadian life insurers, working across annuities, pensions and investments, followed by 15 years in pension and institutional investment leadership. Most recently, she was Chief Executive Officer of the Pension Protection Fund, where she led the organisation and oversaw approximately £32 billion in assets. 

Her previous senior investment leadership roles include Managing Director of Railpen Investments and Global Head of Capital Markets at PSP Investments, where she was responsible for C$120 billion across public equities, fixed income and liquid alternatives. 

Michelle’s appointment strengthens Standard Life’s investment leadership at an important point in its growth. She brings extensive experience developing institutional investment strategies and leading large investment businesses across public and private markets, with a strong focus on long-term retirement outcomes. She has served as Chair of the International Centre for Pension Management, is a member of the UK’s Capital Markets Industry Taskforce (CMIT) and has been a prominent voice in the debate about how long-term pension capital can support productive investment while remaining focused on outcomes for savers.

Investment is fundamental to the outcomes we deliver for our customers, and Michelle Ostermann brings an outstanding combination of global pensions, insurance and investment expertise. She has led major pension and investment organisations in both the UK and Canada, with deep experience across public and private markets and a strong focus throughout her career on delivering for the people whose savings we are entrusted to manage.

Her appointment comes at an important time for Standard Life. Our proposed acquisition of Aegon UK will significantly increase our scale and customer reach, while the expansion of our Pension Risk Transfer business creates further opportunities to bring together long-term capital and specialist investment capabilities. Michelle’s experience will be invaluable as we continue strengthening our investment capabilities and focus on delivering better outcomes for customers.

- Andy Briggs, Group Chief Executive Officer of Standard Life

The proposed Aegon UK acquisition will bring together around half a trillion pounds in assets and 16 million customers and make it the largest player in the UK Pensions and Savings market on a pro forma basis. The Group is also expanding its PRT capabilities through Standard Life PRT Solutions, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027. Both remain subject to regulatory approvals.

I’m delighted to be joining Standard Life at such an important point in its journey. I have spent my career across pensions, insurance and investment management, and I firmly believe that strong investment capabilities and a relentless focus on customers are fundamental to delivering better retirement outcomes. For me, that means putting people first and helping them make the most of their retirement

Standard Life has significant scale, expertise and opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the Group to build on those strengths, deliver strong long-term investment outcomes and help more customers achieve greater financial security in later life.

- Michelle Ostermann

ENDS

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For further information, photos, video content or interviews, contact:

  • Dilesh Sangaran

    Dilesh Sangaran

    Senior Public Relations Manager, Investment, Asset Management and Sustainability
    Telephone

    +44 (0)797 460 4323

    Email

    dilesh.sangaran@standardlife.com

Notes to editors:

About Standard Life

Standard Life plc is a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement saving and income.

We are proud to manage £317bn in assets on behalf of our 12 million customers, and we champion the belief that everyone's journey to and through retirement can be better.

We offer our customers a broad range of retirement, investment and protection products across our customer brands which include Standard Life, SunLife, Phoenix Life and ReAssure.

Our vision is to be the UK’s leading retirement savings and income business, building on Standard Life’s leadership positions in the workplace pensions, pension risk transfer and individual annuity markets, and our growing retail business. Our award-winning services are backed by industry leading apps and strong customer service.

As a FTSE 100-listed group, we are using our size, expertise and influence to deliver better outcomes for customers.

We’ve set targets to help an additional three million customers take steps toward a better retirement by 2035. We want to play our part in delivering a net zero economy and managing our impact and dependency on nature to shape the world our customers will retire into.

Standard Life is recognised as a leading employer, with long-standing accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, Living Pension Employer and in 2026 became one of Britain’s Most Admired Companies.