Trustee accelerator programme (TAP): from tech to trusteeship

When Dean Dennis, a Managing Director at Verizon, first considered the world of pensions, it wasn’t a natural next step from his technology career. But as he approached his mid-50s, Dean began thinking not about his own retirement, but also about how he could transition from the intensity of corporate life into something with purpose and impact. 

Dean recalls: “I wanted to diversify and engage in something that would help me develop personally while having a broad - based impact. Pensions ticked all those boxes.” 

Why Pensions?

For Dean, the motivation was twofold. On a personal level, he recognised the importance of planning for retirement - something he admits he had largely ignored until recently. “Most people are in the same boat,” he says. “They don’t have financial advisers or structured guidance. There’s an enormous gap, and that really struck me.” 

On a broader scale, Dean was fascinated by the influence pensions can have on society. “The power of master trusts and the size of their portfolios can shape sustainability and ethical investment,” he explains. “Institutional investors have the ability to drive corporate behaviour and even government policy. That’s huge.” 

Joining TAP

Dean enrolled in the Trustee Accelerator Programme (TAP) to gain the knowledge and experience needed to make a meaningful contribution as a trustee. “It’s been an intense learning journey,” he says. “From understanding automatic enrolment and scheme structures to investment strategies and governance, the complexity is mind-blowing.” 

The programme combines structured learning with real-world exposure. Dean has completed modules on pensions fundamentals and governance, while also observing trustee committee meetings at the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).  “Sitting as an observer at trustee committee meetings was incredible,” he says. “The professionalism and depth of knowledge in that room is staggering.” 

Mentorship has been another highlight. “My mentor has been fantastic,” Dean notes. “We’ve had great discussions that helped me formulate ideas and understand the landscape. That support is invaluable.” 

For Dean, TAP has opened doors and broadened horizons. “It’s given me a real sense of urgency and purpose,” he says. “Most people don’t know what they don’t know when it comes to pensions - and that’s scary. TAP has helped me move from that bottom category to someone who can make a difference.” 

Dean’s Message to Others

Dean is passionate about encouraging others to engage with pensions and consider trustee roles. “People think pensions are boring, but they’re not,” he insists. “This is an opportunity to do something at scale that benefits millions of people and even influences sustainability. If you want purpose and impact, jump on board.”