Helen Pickford appointed new Chair of the ABI Audit Committee

The Audit Committee considers and makes recommendations to the ABI Board on matters relating to the financial management of the ABI; the Association’s Budget, internal financial controls and risk management systems; the external audit and the annual financial statements.

Helen succeeds Craig Thornton, General Insurance and Protection Director, Lloyds Banking Group, to the role. In her new role, Helen becomes a member of the ABI Board.

Helen Pickford said, "The ABI continues to play a valuable role in promoting the insurance industry, its role in the economy and what we deliver to our customers. I am looking forward to chairing the ABI’s Audit Committee and working with my industry colleagues on the ABI Board.”

Huw Evans, ABI Director General, commented, “Helen’s experience and insight make her perfectly placed to lead and oversee the crucial work of the Audit Committee and help shape ABI’s strategy as a member of the ABI Board.

“I would like to thank Craig Thornton for his service as a long-standing member of the Audit Committee and for chairing it over the last two years.”

With over 25 years’ experience in the Insurance Industry, Helen was appointed UK CFO at Zurich on 1st September 2018 and was previously Deputy CFO for Zurich UK and CFO for Zurich’s UK Life business.

Before joining Zurich in January 2016, Helen was Finance Director at Ageas and prior to this held senior finance roles at Royal Sun Alliance (RSA), including as Finance Director of the UK Retail and Affinity business and Group Head of Investor Relations.

Helen was appointed Chair of the PRA Practitioner Panel on 30th November 2019 and is also a member of the Insurance Sub Committee of the PRA Practitioner Panel.