Press Release
Universal Investment Group supports growth strategy with two C-Suite appointments
Date:
21. April 2026
Frankfurt
- Universal Investment Group appoints Dr. Alva Devoy as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer and Regina Bertram-Pfister as Chief Human Resources Officer
- Appointments strengthen the Group’s senior leadership team and support the delivery of its long-term growth strategy
- Appointments strengthen the Group’s senior leadership team and support the delivery of its long-term growth strategy
Universal Investment Group, Europe’s leading fund services provider and Super ManCo, today announces the appointment of Dr. Alva Devoy as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer (CSTO), effective immediately, and Regina Bertram-Pfister as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective May 1, 2026.
Both Devoy and Bertram-Pfister will report directly to Group CEO Francesca McDonagh and join the Group’s C-Suite, further strengthening the senior leadership team in support of the UI Group’s continued growth trajectory.
As Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Devoy will be responsible for advancing Universal Investment Group’s strategy and transformation agenda and supporting the delivery of its value creation plan. She will also oversee commercial excellence 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 has 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 has 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.
Bertram-Pfister brings deep experience in leading people functions through periods of change and growth. At Universal Investment Group, she will lead the people strategy, with a focus on strengthening leadership, talent and organisational development, guided by the Group’s values of trust, collaboration and innovation. Bertram-Pfister succeeds Christina Huebschen, who has decided to step down from her role for family reasons. To ensure a smooth transition, Huebschen will remain with the UI Group until the end of June 2026.
Francesca McDonagh, CEO of Universal Investment Group 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.”
Both Devoy and Bertram-Pfister will report directly to Group CEO Francesca McDonagh and join the Group’s C-Suite, further strengthening the senior leadership team in support of the UI Group’s continued growth trajectory.
As Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Devoy will be responsible for advancing Universal Investment Group’s strategy and transformation agenda and supporting the delivery of its value creation plan. She will also oversee commercial excellence 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 has 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 has 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.
Bertram-Pfister brings deep experience in leading people functions through periods of change and growth. At Universal Investment Group, she will lead the people strategy, with a focus on strengthening leadership, talent and organisational development, guided by the Group’s values of trust, collaboration and innovation. Bertram-Pfister succeeds Christina Huebschen, who has decided to step down from her role for family reasons. To ensure a smooth transition, Huebschen will remain with the UI Group until the end of June 2026.
Francesca McDonagh, CEO of Universal Investment Group 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.”
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