Frankfurt-based fund services provider Universal Investment has appointed Alva Devoy as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer and Regina Bertram-Pfister as Chief Human Resources Officer.
Both Devoy and Bertram-Pfister will report directly into group CEO Francesca McDonagh and join the group’s C-Suite.
As Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Devoy will be responsible for advancing the firm’s strategy and transformation agenda and supporting the delivery of its value creation plan.
She will also oversee commercial initiatives, accelerate revenue growth, and drive business-led innovation, including the effective use of AI at scale. Devoy succeeds Jean-Philippe Talmon, who will conclude his 12-month secondment from Montagu at the end of May.
Devoy brings extensive experience in strategy, transformation, and scalable growth. She joins from Carne Group, where she served as Strategic Advisor for Enterprise and Commercial Strategy, Growth and Transformation since 2024. Before that, she was CEO and Board Member of Fidelity International Australia from 2014, leading the Australian business with end-to-end responsibility across commercial, operational, investment and regional finance functions.
Bertram-Pfister joins as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) from GETEC Group Germany, one of Europe’s leading energy service providers, where she served as Group CHRO since 2023. Prior to this, she was Senior Director of HR, Lifesciences (PST), and Head of HR for the DACH region at Ingersoll Rand, where she managed HR operations for a global workforce of approximately 3,000 employees.
McDonagh said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Alva and Regina to Universal Investment Group. They each bring deep expertise, strong leadership experience and a proven ability to deliver impact in complex, evolving organisations. Alva will play an important role in sharpening our strategic focus and helping us execute on our transformation priorities, while Regina will be instrumental in continuing to build a high-performing organisation and culture. Their appointments reflect our ambition for the business and our commitment to investing in the capabilities needed to support long-term growth.”
