Meet the Trustee Directors
Ben Marchant
Ben Marchant is one of our Member Nominated Trustee Directors. Here he tells us a bit more about what the role involves.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m 35 years old, married, with no children and one puppy.
I currently work as EV B2B Business Development Manager within TotalEnergies Charging Solutions UK Ltd. I’ve been in this position for 1.5 years; prior to that I was the General Aviation Manager for TEMUK.
Outside of work I am very active, cycling and doing CrossFit four or five times per week. I love a nice long dog walk, especially if there is coffee and cake involved. I get outdoors as much as possible, country walks, hikes, and cycling.
What attracted you to the position of Trustee Director?
I wanted to offer the company I work for more than simply just the job I was employed for. I felt I had spare time and spare capacity to do more, and although I have changed my job role, this is still the case.
I wanted to get involved in projects outside my day-to-day role – to meet new people, have new experiences, learn new topics, contribute in other ways and other areas.
Serving the pension plan was particularly attractive as it is an area that involves absolutely everyone, and I felt the position would help my own understanding and allow me to support colleagues, friends, and family.
The opportunity to be on a board was also very appealing. I felt it would enhance my capabilities and skillset by exposing me to new experiences that could be useful in my future career.
Has the role lived up to your expectations? In what way?
Yes, it has probably exceeded my expectations.
I have had the opportunity to meet and mix with colleagues from different businesses and in different positions (commercial / technical / HR) giving me insight into other TE businesses and business areas. I have also had excellent opportunities to meet and visit ‘suppliers’ and experience different individuals, cultures, and companies.
As a committee, we discuss and make decisions on incredibly important topics which are important to the effective running of the Plan. The level of these conversations and decisions exceeded my expectations.
What do you like the best about being a Trustee Director?
Learning an incredibly interesting and complex topic, developing new skills and knowledge and meeting and mixing with colleagues both internally and externally. I might never have got the opportunity to meet colleagues like Brice Metois, Mark Tandy and Shaun Kenny, but it has been great getting to know them and learn from them in a professional sense and personally.
Would you recommend the role to a friend or colleague? Why?
Yes. It’s a great learning opportunity and provides the feeling of ‘having an impact’. At times it’s also enjoyable and sociable.
What do you find most difficult about being a Trustee Director?
Some of the discretionary decisions around death benefits are challenging in terms of reaching the right conclusion without allowing emotion to affect the decision.
Finding the required hours to prepare for meetings, attend the meetings, and do general Trustee duties can be challenging – but only occasionally!
What do you think you have learnt from the role and how has this/will this help you in your career?
As mentioned above, I’ve valued the networking opportunity, meeting different characters in other businesses, different roles, internal and external colleagues and learning from them, learning how different people operate / think / handle things.
I’m always learning from the variety of experiences we are exposed to: from the small, such as seeing so many different presentations and presenters (what makes a good engaging presentation / presenter), to getting an insight into high-level committee-style decision making. How do Sackers (the Plan’s legal advisers) summarise and explain incredibly in-depth topics? How do I challenge opinions or decisions without appearing challenging? How do I provide valuable feedback in a professional way? These are all skills that will help me in my future career.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Worthwhile, fulfilling, enjoyable.
To read brief comments from our other Trustee Directors, please click on a name.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have been working for TotalEnergies for six years, in the Compensation & Benefits department, at the Holdings level. I oversee French pensions systems, valuation and accounting of pensions liabilities at the Company level. Members of my teams have mandates or are involved in the biggest pension funds in TotalEnergies: Belgium, Nigeria, USA, Germany, South Africa, and France of course.
I have been a French certified actuary for more than 23 years and have worked in consulting firms, insurance companies and industry, in HR (employee benefits) and asset management.
Would you recommend the Trustee Director role to a friend or colleague? Why?
I would recommend the role to anyone who has interest in pensions and time to spend for the Plan. As there are so many different topics, there are inevitably some in which you can help and provide your own experience.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Educational, team-working, commitment.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I worked for Total UK Ltd for 27 years, firstly in the Logistics Department where I managed one of Total's petroleum storage and distribution terminals. I then moved to the HSEQS Department where I was the downstream Health and Safety Manager. When I left Total, I set up a small consultancy where I provide safety and risk services to downstream oil companies and industry bodies. I am now a pensioner, but I still work part time for the consultancy.
Would you recommend the Trustee Director role to a friend or colleague? Why?
Yes, it is a great opportunity for people looking to enhance their career – but you need to be conscious of the commitment.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Interesting, rewarding, commitment.
I will be reapplying to stand as an MNTD.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I worked in the heavy industry since the age of 16: steel, chemicals. power, consultancy, and oil. I spent my last 26 years of work in the oil industry. I progressed from an Indenture Apprentice at 21, to a Professional Engineer by 25 and a Senior Manager by 36. I was the manager of various refinery departments including Engineering, Operations, Financial Accounts, HSE, IT, HR, and PR. My last role was as deputy refinery manager acting as interface with the UK and Welsh Governments, the media and general public. I have been a member on many Government and industry boards and was a company nominated Trustee director for pension schemes with Elf, Total and Murco before retiring in 2015. I rejoined the TotalEnergies Trustee board as an MNTD in 2018.
What do you like the best about being a Trustee Director?
Seeing the recent progression and success of the Plan and the professional way it is run.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Challenging, rewarding, stimulating.
I will be reapplying to stand as an MNTD.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have over twenty-five years’ experience of working in the upstream sector, mainly in business development, commercial and managerial positions. I moved to Paris with my wife, three children and our dog to join the Carbon Capture and Storage business unit. I’ve been a Trustee Director since 2019, and I’m Chair of the Defined Contribution Outcomes and Governance Sub-committee and Deputy Chair of the Investment Committee.
Has the Trustee Director role lived up to your expectations? In what way?
Yes, it’s more than just an annual meeting – I’ve been able to find out and understand more about the Plan and how the Trustee Board works and is structured. I enjoy the collaborative working with peers which is a key element of the role.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Challenging, fun, educational.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm a member of the legacy Elf DB section up until the Plan closed to future accrual, and now I am contributing in the TEMUK DC section of the Plan. I’m a very commercially minded person rather than technical and consider myself a good problem solver. I like to think about problems from different / new angles.
What do you like the best about being a Trustee Director?
It’s nice to be part of such a great and motivated team of people, with so much knowledge. The opportunities to learn are limitless if you have the time!
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Educational, rewarding, fun.
I will be reapplying to stand as an MNTD.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a new father of one. My interests include running and general sports. I currently work in a commercial role in the energy supply industry.
What attracted you to the position of Trustee Director?
Learning a new skill, coming out of my comfort zone and broadening my knowledge set.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Interesting, challenging, different.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m old, grumpy and set in my ways, but I can be a really good laugh! 😊
Has the Trustee Director role lived up to your expectations? In what way?
I had no real expectations when I took on the role as I really wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. Has it lived up to expectations? Yes, as I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many amazing people.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Frightening, fulfilling, enjoyable.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m retired. I had a 36-year career, predominantly international, including E&P finance and DF/Group finance positions.
What do you like the best about being a Trustee Director?
Good diversity on the Trustee Board, the diversity of subject matter, the standalone legal structure (there is a clear ringfence to separate the Plan from the Group’s other activities), and the friendly environment.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Stimulating, enjoyable, satisfying.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Leeds. Prior to joining TotalEnergies, I worked for Subsea 7 as a subsea engineer. I am a Chartered Engineer.
I completed an MBA at IESE Business School in Barcelona and joined TotalEnergies in Aberdeen in 2009 as a Commercial Advisor. In 2013, I moved to Argentina to be the Strategy Manager for the TotalEnergies affiliate there, before returning to Aberdeen in 2017 to be a Performance and Growth Manager, firstly for CNS and then ENS. In 2022 I moved to Strategy and Business to be a Business Negotiation Lead.
Would you recommend the Trustee Director role to a friend or colleague? Why?
Yes, if they have a keen interest in pensions and enjoy it, I recommend putting themselves forward.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Enjoyable, fascinating, challenging.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I lead the TotalEnergies Marketing UK Ltd Bitumen Commercial team, enabling strategic development, business growth, colleague progression and commercial delivery. Teamwork is key in my business role, and it is at the heart of the work we carry out as Trustees.
Sum up your Trustee experience in three words.
Rewarding, interesting, complex.