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Key themes 2024: The Starting Line
The new year brings a fresh start for many, but much like the previous year, the pensions industry is looking to be just as busy in 2024:
Whilst TPR delayed the launch of the DB funding code until April, the Autumn Statement later revealed a comprehensive package causing seismic change for the industry. Also, the extent to which artificial intelligence will revolutionise aspects such as scheme administration and investments remains to be seen. As DB schemes continue their trajectory towards Endgame, this journey will undoubtedly remain a central theme throughout 2024. The importance of getting your admin and data dashboard ready will too persist, among other critical considerations.
Professional Pensions is delighted to bring you our first event to kick off the year, Key Themes 2024: The Starting Line.
Our online conference will unite leading experts, pension scheme trustees, and providers to delve into the prominent themes anticipated for 2024. Broadcasting live from our exclusive Professional Pensions studio, you can join our editorial team in the newsroom in real-time or catch up on-demand from the convenience of your home or office.
Be ready at The Starting Line with us and prepare to win the race towards a successful 2024!
View the programmeView the speakers
This event is exclusively for Trustees and in-house pension and benefit scheme professionals.
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Available On Demand
Out with The Old and In with The New: Navigating the Future Uncharted Territory of AI
In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) took centre stage, becoming the buzzword across various industries, including pensions. While recent advancements showcased its promise and challenges, industries are on a quest to pinpoint the optimal applications of AI and harness its full capabilities. The rapid evolution of AI has prompted a strategic exploration by professionals to understand AI better. As AI-powered services flood the market, trustees and buyers find themselves navigating uncharted territory. How can we make savvy decisions amidst the AI buzz?
This session will address:
• How has AI been used thus far within the industry?
• How do we as an industry make best use of AI in our roles?
• How do we navigate this uncharted territory to ensure the best advice/output?
• Will AI be accessible for smaller schemes with potential integration hurdles and cost?
• Where do we see AI's role in pensions progressing over the next five years?
Jonathan Stapleton Editor, Professional PensionsJonathan is editor of Professional Pensions and has been reporting on UK occupational pensions since 2001. He has won a number of awards during his career, most recently the SPP Trade Journalist of the Year Award in 2019. He is also holder of the PMI's Retirement Provision Certificate.
Will Henderson Co-Founder, CPTO, Knowa
Mohammad Rasouli AI Expert for Investment, Stanford UniversityFredric Karlsson Chief Technology Officer, Heywood – PASA Experts for Digital Admin -
Available On Demand
Key Themes for Risk Transfer in 2024
2023 saw a record volume of DB members’ benefits transferred to buyout providers. With funding levels now at a much higher level, how are pension schemes navigating an increasingly busy market where illiquids, pricing capacity and data quality are impacting timescales? Cardano and L&G recently announced the single largest buy-in transaction ever completed in the UK. On the back of this landmark transaction, they will share their top tips for trustees and sponsors looking to transact in 2024 and beyond.
Jonathan Stapleton Editor, Professional PensionsJonathan is editor of Professional Pensions and has been reporting on UK occupational pensions since 2001. He has won a number of awards during his career, most recently the SPP Trade Journalist of the Year Award in 2019. He is also holder of the PMI's Retirement Provision Certificate.
Adolfo Aponte Managing Director Risk Solutions, Cardano AdvisoryAdolfo is a Managing Director at Cardano Advisory. He leads Cardano’s growing Risk-Solutions practice, which designs, executes, and supports trustees, corporates and asset owners on a wide range of underwritten, risk-transfer structures, including bulk purchase annuity contracts and longevity swaps. The team is recognised as a market leader in counterparty analysis, having advised on the transfer of over £40bn of pension liabilities since 2014.
Adolfo has experience working with insurers, reinsurers, banks and alternative de-risking providers on solvency, regulatory and other corporate matters that drive the strategic decision making. Prior to Cardano, Adolfo worked in New York in both corporate finance and capital markets roles.
Jon Loach Director Pension Risk Transfer, Legal & GeneralJon is a Director in the Pension Risk Transfer team at Legal & General which works with trustees, sponsors and their advisers to secure pension scheme member benefits through buy-ins, buyouts and other de-risking solutions. Over the last 20 years he has held roles at several consultancies and recently led LGIM’s Strategic Client team, the team responsible for maintaining relationships with LGIM’s largest institutional clients. Jon has supported many of Legal & General’s de-risking transactions, including its record-breaking £4.8 billion single scheme buy-in with the Boots Pension Scheme in November 2023. Jon is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. -
Available On Demand
What should DB pension schemes be considering in an ever evolving endgame universe?
Setting the endgame objective for DB pension schemes will become even more important in 2024. Buy-out remains the gold standard for pension schemes, however the availability of other options now provides trustees with different routes to take. This could be consolidation with a Superfund or Master Trust, run-off or run-on.
The industry has seen more innovation in the last two years than it has in the last decade, and the opportunity for running-on schemes, for the benefit of members and sponsoring employers, providers a unique opportunity. The Chancellor’s Mansion House reforms and the increased focus on sustainability have only increased the possibility of this avenue.
Please join Arif Saad, Head of Client Advice at VLK, to explore this further.
Jonathan Stapleton Editor, Professional PensionsJonathan is editor of Professional Pensions and has been reporting on UK occupational pensions since 2001. He has won a number of awards during his career, most recently the SPP Trade Journalist of the Year Award in 2019. He is also holder of the PMI's Retirement Provision Certificate.
Arif Saad, CFA Head of Client Advice, KempenArif Saad, CFA, is Head of Client Advice, responsible for leading how Kempen delivers their investment proposition to clients. This includes designing, developing and advising on strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies for our UK clients. In addition Arif is Head of People, UK.
Prior to joining Kempen in 2020, Arif was a Fiduciary Manager at Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), and one of the architects of their fiduciary management offering. Prior to this, Arif was head of the Strategic Client Relationship Executive team at LGIM, working with their largest and most sophisticated UK pension funds clients, focusing on risk management and derivative strategies. Arif began his career within Mercer’s UK investment consulting business, where he advised a portfolio of defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds on the full spectrum of investment issues, including investment strategy, manager and mandate structure, manager selection, transitions and performance analysis.
Arif graduated from the University of Warwick with a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Economics. He is a CFA Charterholder and in 2021, Financial News named him a Rising Star in Asset Management. -
Available On Demand
Uncharted Territory: Development of Collective Defined Contribution schemes in the UK
In the UK, CDC schemes are new, and offer several potential benefits, including lower costs, greater transparency, and a shared risk between members. There are also some challenges and risks associated with CDC. Despite this, the government has expressed support for the growth of CDC. So, how is CDC developing, and what does this mean for the future of pensions?
This session will address:
• How is CDC currently developing?
• What does the future look like for CDC schemes?
• How can the pensions industry best prepare for CDC?
• What are the regulatory and legal challenges of CDC?
• How can schemes promote education and awareness of CDC among employers and members?
• How do other countries do CDC, and what can we learn from them?
Jonathan Stapleton Editor, Professional PensionsJonathan is editor of Professional Pensions and has been reporting on UK occupational pensions since 2001. He has won a number of awards during his career, most recently the SPP Trade Journalist of the Year Award in 2019. He is also holder of the PMI's Retirement Provision Certificate.
Daniela Silcock Head of Policy Research, Pensions Policy Institute -
Available On Demand
The Starting Line: Key Economic Themes and Hurdles to Look Out for in The Race Through 2024
For many, the dawn of a new year symbolises a clean slate, but as we step into 2024, the Pensions Industry is set for another bustling year. Last year, although inflation started to decrease, market interest rates remained mostly steady. However, there's growing optimism that developed economies will avoid recession, whilst persistent inflation is decreasing, and economists predict we're nearing the end of the Bank of England's rate hikes. This marks a new phase in the current economic cycle, bringing opportunities and challenges for pension schemes and their trustees.
Join us as our final session of the Key Themes 2024 provides an opportune moment to delve into everything shaping the economic landscape this year. Don't miss the chance to catch up on the latest developments that will shape the trajectory of the Pensions Industry in 2024!
This session will address:
• What are the key economic themes emerging for 2024?
• What are the factors that could change the future trajectory?
• What upcoming hurdles may we face in 2024, from a macro perspective, and how can we overcome them?
Jonathan Stapleton Editor, Professional PensionsJonathan is editor of Professional Pensions and has been reporting on UK occupational pensions since 2001. He has won a number of awards during his career, most recently the SPP Trade Journalist of the Year Award in 2019. He is also holder of the PMI's Retirement Provision Certificate.
Lena Komileva Managing Director and Chief Economist, (g+)economics