A national honour to recognise Patrick Heath-Lay, CEO of People’s Pension
A career defined by impact
This national recognition celebrates more than four decades of progress – leading with integrity, delivering value for members and helping shape a better pensions system.
We’re delighted to announce that our CEO, Patrick Heath-Lay, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to the pensions industry.
This honour marks more than four decades of contribution to workplace saving and reflects the impact of a career spent improving financial outcomes for millions of UK workers.
A career dedicated to better retirement outcomes
Patrick’s journey is a remarkable one. Joining the organisation straight from school more than 40 years ago, he has risen through a wide range of roles to lead People’s Pension as CEO for the past 13 years. During this time, he has been instrumental in shaping both the organisation and the broader pensions landscape.
Under his leadership, People’s Pension has grown into one of the UK’s leading master trusts, now supporting more than 7 million members and managing over £40bn in assets. This growth represents more than scale. It reflects a consistent focus on delivering value, simplicity and reliability in workplace pension provision.
His work has also contributed to the broader success of auto-enrolment, helping millions of savers take meaningful steps towards financial security.
Leadership with purpose
While the scale of achievement is significant, those who have worked with Patrick will recognise that his leadership style is what truly sets him apart. He’s widely respected for leading with humility, integrity and a clear sense of purpose — always putting members, employers and colleagues at the heart of decision-making.
This focus has translated into a strong partnership approach, building solutions that are practical, accessible and designed to support the day-to-day realities of running pension schemes effectively.
Patrick has also remained a vocal advocate for improving the pensions system as a whole, continuing to campaign for better outcomes for savers and a stronger, more inclusive industry.
A moment to celebrate
Patrick’s impact has been widely recognised by his peers. Jim Islam, Chair of People’s Partnership, called the award “a fitting recognition of an extraordinary career and contribution to the pensions sector.”
And Mark Condron, Chair of People’s Pension’s Board of Trustees, described it as the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to improving financial futures, stating “His legacy will be felt for generations to come, benefiting millions of savers as they build more secure financial futures.”
Reflecting on the award, Patrick was quick to credit the people around him:
“It’s really humbling to be recognised in this way and is not something I ever expected… This recognition is a wonderful surprise and would not have been possible without my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career.”
Recognition across the organisation
For those working closely with workplace pensions every day, this recognition underscores the strength and stability of the organisation behind People’s Pension.
Patrick’s CBE appointment is a significant and well-deserved milestone, not only for him personally, but for everyone connected to People’s Pension and the wider pensions ecosystem. It’s a recognition of sustained impact, of leadership that puts people first, and of an organisation committed to helping millions build financial foundations for life.
We join colleagues, partners and industry peers in congratulating Patrick on this outstanding achievement.
