Bindesh Savjani

Group Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for Pendal Group (previously Global CRO for Intermediate Capital Group Plc). A Non Executive member of the Edinburgh University Audit & Risk Committee (2015-20).

Previously, Director of Legal & Risk, responsible for developing and embedding a robust risk management framework within Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP). A member of the SWIP Executive team reporting to the MD. As from April 2014 SWIP became part of Aberdeen Asset Management.

Lead a team of 40 staff responsibilities included Investment Risk, Operational Risk, Regulatory Risk, Governance and oversight responsibility for Legal Risk. FCA controlled functions includes CF10 (Compliance Officer); CF11 (Money Laundering Officer); CF28 (Systems and Controls) and Compliance Officer for the US business. Played a key role in the proposed sale of SWIP to Aberdeen Asset Management. Asset class knowledge includes fixed income, equites, investment solutions, real estate, private equity and infrastructure.

Prior to joining SWIP, worked for Aviva Investors as the Global Chief Risk Officer and spent 10 years developing and leading a number of risk management functions and was a member of the Executive team, supporting colleagues to shape and implement a global asset management strategy.

Before Aviva, worked for Ernst & Young as a Senior Manager in the Financial Services Risk Management team. Responsible for a number of clients across the financial services industry, providing risk management advice and solutions.

A qualified accountant and graduated from the University of Westminster in 1989 with a BA (Hons) in Business Management. Attended Executive Development courses during 2004 – 2006 at The London Business School, Wharton and CEDEP.

Strengths include the ability to balance a risk and compliance minded approach with sound commercial judgment, strong stakeholder management, supporting colleagues to grow through leadership, coaching and empowerment whilst remaining accountable.