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chief executive, AEGON UK, UK

David Henderson's career began with a short period in public practice before joining Scottish Equitable in 1971. 'I decided to become an accountant as I identified the need for financial skill in nearly all potential career paths,' recalls David, who feels that the main benefits of his ACCA qualification have been 'strong financial skills and understanding, alongside the ability to input to corporate governance requirements.'

He held a number of positions within Scottish Equitable plc's accounting function and, as chief accountant, was appointed to the Executive in 1982. Following a period responsible for operations he was appointed managing director of Life and Pensions in 1991, managing director of UK Operations in 1993, managing director of Scottish Equitable plc and deputy chief executive in 1995. In 1997 he became chief executive.

David regards taking Scottish Equitable into the AEGON Group as the most memorable point in his career: 'In 1994, I was part of a three-man team, led by the then chief executive David Berridge, which masterminded the deal with AGEON nv, making Scottish Equitable one of the first UK life companies to demutualise,' he explains. '2004 marks the tenth anniversary of the completion of the demutualisation which led to the formation of AEGON UK in January 1999.'

David is deputy chairman of the Board of the Association of British Insurers and chairman of its Life Insurance Council. He has chaired its Independent Life Offices Group which focused on a number of issues affecting life offices and independent financial advisers - particularly pensions review, technology and regulatory issues. He is a member of the Scottish Executive's Financial Services Strategy Group and also chairman of the General Purpose Council of the Associated Scottish Life Offices.