Former Unilever pension scheme investment chief Wendy Mayall has become non-executive director at Phoenix Group, the UK life assurer, which is close to acquiring Axa Wealth’s pension business.

Lazard investment banker Nicholas Shott and former Legal & General director John Pollock have also become non-executive directors, according to a Phoenix statement published on August 25, which also confirmed the firm wants to acquire more businesses operating in the life assurance sector.