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60 Seconds with Jenda McSwiggan of Workers Pension Trust

Jenda McSwiggan tells us about her career.

Wednesday 8 June 2022

60 Seconds with Jenda McSwiggan of Workers Pension Trust Tell us about your organisation
I am the Business Development Executive for Cushon MT NI Ltd, trading as Workers Pension Trust which a multi-employer pension scheme based in Belfast.
 
We assist employers across the UK to meet their auto-enrolment duties, providing an exceptionally high standard of administration support within a framework of best practice governance.
 
On 1 June 2021, our funder and administrator were acquired by Cushon, a fintech workplace savings business.  Cushon uses its world-leading financial technology to bring innovation to workplace savings and pensions and help people get comfortable with saving and investing. Across the Cushon Group we currently have 23,000 employers enrolled, 400,000 people saving and investing and £1.7bn assets under management.
 
Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far
I started my working career in the pharmaceutical industry, namely The Wellcome Foundation and GlaxoWellcome. I progressed from Regional Marketing Coordinator, Central and Eastern Europe to Country Manager, Macedonia and Regional Business Development Executive, West Balkans, Ukraine, Caucasus and Central Asia. I then moved to the UK division and took on the role of Pharmacy Strategy Manager. In 2007, I relocated to Brazil where I established and managed Sax Coburg Worldwide Ltd, an offshore financial consultancy.
 
In May 2019, I joined WPT as Business Development Executive and am responsible for the promotion and marketing of the scheme, building and maintaining relationships with existing clients as well increasing our customer base.
 
Describe yourself in 3 words
Customer-focused, persistent, team player.
 
What is the one skill that helps you most in your role?
Teamwork and collaboration.
 
What advice do you have for women in your industry?
Women, in general, tend to strive to achieve perfection, which results in insecurities and fear that we don’t know enough yet because we don’t feel like we’ve fully perfected our current role. In fact, having the right drive, determination to succeed and the confidence to put yourself forward is what matters more.
 
Are there exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?
We believe it’s time to make pensions and savings fairer, more sustainable and more relevant for everyone – no matter their age or income. Cushon’s pension is the first of its kind in that it is Net Zero, building a better financial future for members and a better future for our world. Our customers will be able to access this market-leading Net Zero investment strategy in 2022. By choosing a Net Zero pension, employers are helping their employees have a direct and significantly positive impact on the climate. Our mission is to offer UK savers a convenient, climate-friendly, and excellent value way to save, through a combination of cutting-edge technology and socially responsible investments.
 
If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
Don't Stop Believing – Journey. 
 
What's your favourite break-time snack?
Cappuccino and cherry bakewell tart.
 
How can you fellow WIB members keep up to date with you and your organisation?
Keep up to date with us on Workers Pension Trust | NI Pension Auto-Enrolment or connect with us on LinkedIn Cushon: Overview | LinkedIn

Author Jenda McSwiggan

Wednesday 8 June 2022

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