Executive Committee

Hans Georgeson – Chief Executive Officer

Hans Georgeson joined Royal London Asset Management as Chief Executive Officer in April 2021 with overall responsibility for managing the business, and as a member of the Royal London Group’s Executive Committee. He is a member of the Government’s Asset Management Task Force and a Board member of the Investment Association.

Hans started his financial services career in 1996 as an equity analyst at BZW Investment Management, the asset management arm of Barclays. Hans remained with Barclays until 2010, progressing through a number of executive roles at Barclays Wealth, Gerrard Investment Management and Barclays Stockbrokers.

In 2010 Hans joined Architas, a fledgling UK asset management business wholly owned by AXA. Under his tenure the business grew to over £40bn assets, operating across 13 countries. Hans graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Politics, Philosophy & Economics and a Masters degree in Economics. He completed his MBA at INSEAD in 2000.

Will Nicoll – Chief Investment Officer

Will became Chief Investment Officer in September 2025 having formerly been Head of Fixed Income and Private Assets. Will joined Royal London Asset Management in October 2023.

Previously, Will was at M&G Investment Management for 19 years latterly as CIO, Private and Alternative Assets, responsible for managing global teams investing in private debt, property, and private equity as well as other businesses.  Will has also worked at Henderson Global Investors, Cazenove & Co and the civil service.

Will has an MA in Natural Sciences from Trinity College, Cambridge and is a CFA charterholder.

Ed Venner – Chief Client Officer

Ed Venner joined Royal London Asset Management in May 2024 as Chief Client Officer with responsibility for overall distribution strategy and client proposition development. Previously, Ed was Global Distribution Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Franklin Templeton. Prior to Franklin Templeton’s acquisition of Legg Mason in 2020, Ed held the role of Head of US Sales and COO for Global Distribution at Legg Mason having previously served as International Chief Financial Officer and in other finance roles at the firm. Ed also spent a year acting as Head of Global Distribution in 2017. He was also Chair of the Board for Martin Currie. Prior to joining Legg Mason, Ed trained as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young in their London Asset Management practice. In his current role, Ed is a member of the Royal London Asset Management Executive Committee, and chairs the Customer and Product Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (with honours) in Economics from the University of Durham, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Andy Hunt – Chief Financial Officer

Andy joined Royal London Asset Management in December 2015, becoming Chief Financial Officer in January 2018 following his appointment to the Board. He has responsibility for all aspects of finance, including business performance, statutory and regulatory reporting, and the ICARA. Andy is also Client Money Oversight Officer, responsible for the protection of client money and assets. He has over 25 years’ experience within asset management having worked for M&G from 1997 to 2008 and then Aviva Investors from 2008 to 2015. Andy is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds a BSc (Hons) degree from the University of Hull. 

Davina Goodall-Smith – Chief Operating Officer

Davina joined Royal London Asset Management as Chief Operating Officer in September 2025. She has responsibility for Royal London Asset Management’s operations, data, technology systems and business change functions.

With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Davina has held senior roles across Asset Management, Asset Servicing and Wealth Management. She has worked internationally for Barclays and BNP Paribas, and most recently served as COO for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Nikko Asset Management.

Alongside her executive career, Davina has held a range of independent advisory and governance roles across the financial services and charity sectors, reflecting her passionate commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and responsible innovation. Davina holds a BA (Hons) degree in Mathematics from the University of Bristol.

John Nicol – Chief Risk Officer

John joined Royal London Asset Management in September 2017 and is responsible for the Risk and Compliance function. John joined Royal London Asset Management from Aberdeen Asset Management where he was the Global Head of Risk Strategy. Prior to this John was the Head of Governance & Risk Strategy at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership and Compliance Officer and Company Secretary at Blue Planet Investments. John started his career with PwC in the financial services consultancy practice. John has an LLB and Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Aberdeen University and has over 25 years’ experience in financial services.

Kerry Miller – People Director

Kerry is People Director for Royal London Asset Management. She joined in May 2019 as a Strategic Business Partner, and has over 30 years' global HR and business experience across operations, sales, and product development for asset management retail banking in the UK, Europe, US and Asia. She holds an MBA in International Business from the University of Bristol and is currently responsible for ensuring that all of the people activity in Royal London Asset Management aligns to the business strategy, enabling the firm to develop the capabilities it requires to be successful in the future, whilst creating a positive culture with high performing teams.

Tracey Bennett – Chief of Staff

Tracey joined Royal London Asset Management as Chief of Staff in March 2022 with responsibility for overseeing the delivery of Royal London Asset Management's strategic priorities. Tracey has over 25 years’ experience in delivery roles in financial services. She joined from KPMG where she was a Director responsible for programme delivery. Prior to this, Tracey was a Head of Change at Fidelity International and she has also held a number of senior change, strategy and business management roles at Merian (now part of Jupiter Asset Management) and Old Mutual plc. Prior to this Tracey was a management consultant at KPMG. Tracey holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Business Studies from Swansea University.

Bridget Saunders – Divisional Counsel

Bridget is Divisional Counsel for Royal London Asset Management. She joined in January 2025 and is responsible for the Legal function. She has over 25 years’ experience in asset management, having previously been Group General Counsel of GAM Investments and, prior to that, deputy European Managing Counsel at Legg Mason, during which time she spent a year acting as Head of Legal for Martin Currie. Bridget started her career in the Financial Services practice of Eversheds LLP (now Eversheds Sutherland). She holds a BA (Hons) in French from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a postgraduate diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course from the University of Law, Guildford.