The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has appointed two new people to its Advisory Group.

Bernie Hickman, Chief Executive of Legal & General Retail, and Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of Coventry Building Society, have joined 12 other top-level executives from the finance, consumer rights, research and technology sectors.

The Advisory Group, established in May 2020, meets quarterly to help ensure that MaPS delivers on its vision of everyone making the most of their money and pensions. It also provides input and oversight regarding progress towards the goals of the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, raising and discussing challenges along the way.

Sir Hector Sants, Chair of MaPS, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Bernie and Steve to the MaPS Advisory Group. They bring with them a wealth of experience in the financial services sector and a strong commitment to the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing.

“I look forward to working with them as we continue to understand, meet and address the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Bernie Hickman

Bernie is the Chief Executive Officer of Legal & General Retail, responsible for all the Retail, Workplace and Fintech businesses within Legal & General. The Retail division meets the savings, protection, mortgage and retirement needs of 12 million retail policyholders and workplace members.

Bernie joined Legal & General in 1998 from Commercial Union (now Aviva). Between 2005 and 2010 he was the Managing Director of Retail Protection. He became MD of Retail Retirement in 2014 and the CEO co-founder of Legal & General Home Finance in 2015, when he led the group’s entry into the lifetime mortgage market. Between 2017 and 2021, Bernie was CEO of Legal & General Insurance, responsible for the insurance and fintech businesses in the UK & USA.

Steve Hughes

Steve has been the CEO of Coventry Building Society since 2020. He is a chartered management accountant with over 16 years’ experience of senior and board-level roles within financial services.

Steve was Group Finance Director, followed by Chief Executive Officer of Principality Building Society and prior to this was Finance Director of Lloyds Banking Group plc’s general insurance business, including the integration of Lloyds TSB plc and HBOS plc.

Existing members details can be found on our website: https://maps.org.uk/our-board/advisory-group-to-the-board/

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For media enquiries contact:

For further media enquiries, please contact the MaPS Press Office on 020 8132 5284 / media@maps.org.uk.  

Notes to editors

Membership of the MaPS Advisory Group

Existing members details can be found on our website: https://maps.org.uk/our-board/advisory-group-to-the-board/

About the Money and Pensions Service      

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is here to ensure every person feels more in control of their finances throughout their lives: from pocket money to pensions. When they are, communities are healthier, businesses are more prosperous, the economy benefits and individuals feel better off. MaPS delivers free and impartial money and pensions guidance to the public through MoneyHelper, which recently brought together legacy services the Money Advice Service, The Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.   

MaPS is working to make sure the whole of the UK understands that financial, physical and mental health are all deeply connected. MaPS’ role is to connect organisations with the shared purpose of achieving the five goals set out in the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing.  

MaPS supports innovation so that everyone can use the most effective methods to help people feel more in control of their money, targeted to those most in need and inclusive of people from all backgrounds. MaPS is an arm’s-length body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).  

For further information visit www.maps.org.uk. Members of the public can get free guidance about their money and pensions via: www.moneyhelper.org.uk / 0800 138 7777.