Brightwell
Brightwell was created as part of a major transformation for the UK’s largest private-sector pension scheme, combining a migration to a new administration platform with a full rebrand away from BT Pension Scheme Management. The challenge was to design a new digital experience that could communicate trust while also supporting the organisation’s shift towards offering broader commercial services. Working within a multidisciplinary team, I contributed across research, information architecture, wireframing and visual direction for both the member portal and public-facing website.
Shaping the information architecture and product design direction.
I played a key role in shaping the product structure by conducting competitor analysis and supporting user research to understand expectations around pension and financial services platforms. A key insight was that most existing experiences overwhelmed users with dense information and unclear task pathways, making it difficult for users to identify and complete core tasks such as reviewing their benefits, adjusting contributions, and seeking guidance when needed. I led the development of site map explorations and wireframes, helping define clearer navigation structures and task-based journeys that reduced cognitive load and improved clarity across key user journeys. Alongside this, I contributed to early conceptualisation for the visual direction, exploring how large-scale imagery, bold editorial layouts and the integration of thought leadership video and testimonial content could help communicate authority and trust. I played an active role in collaborative workshops with stakeholders, helping refine how Brightwell’s services, capabilities and insight content were structured across the new platform.
Impact
The website became the focal point of the brand launch, attracting significant industry attention and helping Brightwell secure its first external client, EE, within days of going live. Since launch, the business has received multiple industry awards and recognition, reinforcing its position as a leading provider within the pensions sector.
