Standard Life plc announced the appointment of Nuwan Goonetilleke as Interim Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Retirement Solutions and Asset Management Chief Executive Officer (RS&AM CEO) following Mike Eakins’ decision to step down from the role “to pursue an external opportunity.”

Standard Life manages almost £300 billion of assets under administration (AUA).

Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) has appointed Eakins as its new CEO, subject to regulatory approval.

“Mike will step down following a short handover period,” said Standard Life plc.

“The process to appoint a permanent CIO and RS&AM CEO is underway and will include both internal and external candidates.

“Nuwan is currently Head of Capital Markets and has been with the Standard Life Group since 2020, prior to which he was at Swiss Re.

“Alongside Mike, Nuwan has been instrumental in growing Standard Life’s Retirement Solutions business and its asset management division, leading on several key strategic projects including the in-housing of the Group’s annuity backing assets.”

Standard Life CEO Andy Briggs said: “I would like to thank Mike for the important contribution that he has made to grow our Retirement Solutions and Asset Management divisions over the last six years, and in his role as Chief Investment Officer and Retirement Solution & Asset Management CEO for Standard Life.

“Our Retirement Solutions business has strengthened its position as a leading player in the market while our internal asset management division now encompasses over 500 people driving significant value for the Group.

“Alongside Nuwan as Interim Chief Investment Officer and RS&AM CEO, the depth and breadth of our senior leadership across these divisions will ensure that we continue our strong momentum towards becoming the UK’s leading retirement savings and income business.”