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Registration and Refreshments

Welcome to the Spring Trustee Senate hosted by Professional Pensions.

As you step into this enlightening conference at the Fanhams Hall, rest assured that your belongings will be attentively cared for while you immerse yourself in the enriching sessions of day one. Following the conclusion of the final session, you'll have the opportunity to check-in to the comfort of your room. 

Along with our agenda full of fantastic speakers, you will also have the opportunity to utilise the venue’s facilities during your free time:

  • Garden walk or jogging trail
  • Fitness room
  • Afternoon Tea (pre-book only)
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Welcome and Opening Remarks
Speaker
Editor-In-Chief
Professional Pensions
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Opening Keynote

Welcome to Professional Pensions: Trustee Senate Spring 2024. To start the senate, we will be opening with an economic outlook for 2024 and beyond from our guest Keynote Speaker, Michael Binyon, who has been a leader-writer, columnist and foreign correspondent for The Times since 1971.

Speaker
Leader-writer, Columnist and Foreign Correspondent
The Times
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It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!.. How Superfunds Can Help Save The Day and Deliver Better Outcomes for Members

In November 2023 Clara-Pensions reached agreement with Trustees of the Sears Retail Pension Scheme to transfer members to Clara in the UK’s first pension superfund transaction. Sears’ c. 9,600 Scheme members became the first to enter a UK pension Superfund as they began their journey to an insured buyout. Clara to provided £30m of new capital to increase the security of members’ benefits. Transfer to Clara also received clearance from The Pensions Regulator.

In this session, Ashu and Jayne will address:

  • The transaction process
  • How this improved outcomes for these members
Speakers
Chief Origination Officer
Clara Pensions
Head of Trustee Services
Clara Pensions
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Networking and Refreshments

An ideal opportunity to connect with fellow trustees and relish refreshments provided by Fanhams Hall, for first class company and a second to none experience!

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More Is More, and What This Means for Investment Strategy Where Run-on May Be an Attractive Alternative

Although traditional buy-out may remain the most likely path for some schemes, many pension schemes may be reassessing their endgames in light of discussions regarding productive capital and Mansion House reforms, which are increasing the case for run-on. This interactive discussion will explore the investment strategy implications of running-on, both for the short and longer term.

Speaker
Head of Solutions Client Portfolio Management
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
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Lunch

This is your chance to mingle, connect, and replenish your energy amidst the Trustee Senate's vibrant atmosphere. Join us in savouring a spread prepared to elevate your midday experience. Whether you're networking, sharing insights, or simply taking a moment to unwind; Take your seat, and enjoy! 

Day 1 Boardrooms

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Challenges and opportunities for schemes considering buyout in the current market

Deepash Amin and Louise Nash from PIC will host a discussion on the most important opportunities and challenges for schemes currently considering their options in busy bulk annuity market. Topic areas will include approaches to illiquid assets, challenging some of the myths and pre-conceptions around what can be insured, considering the best uses of resources when preparing for a transaction and timing and strategy for optimising outcomes. The discussion will also consider the impact of surplus when considering buyout and what the experience can look like for pension scheme members.

    Speakers
    Senior Origination Actuary
    PIC
    Head of New Business Strategy
    PIC
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    A Deeper Dive into How Clara Provides Increased Security for Members and Improves Member Outcomes

    Speakers
    Chief Origination Officer
    Clara Pensions
    Head of Trustee Services
    Clara Pensions
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    Pensions in the Spotlight: Mansion House to Autumn Statement

    Richard Fox, head of UK policy at Schroders has been part of the discussions with the Government as they shape their policy on investment into UK PLC. He will share that thinking and help educate Trustees on what the Government is thinking and how they should consider this in the context of their schemes.

    Speaker
    Head of Public Policy
    Schroders
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    Pensions in the Spotlight: Mansion House to Autumn Statement

    Richard Fox, head of UK policy at Schroders has been part of the discussions with the Government as they shape their policy on investment into UK PLC. He will share that thinking and help educate Trustees on what the Government is thinking and how they should consider this in the context of their schemes.

    Speaker
    Head of Public Policy
    Schroders
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    Challenges and opportunities for schemes considering buyout in the current market

    Deepash Amin and Louise Nash from PIC will host a discussion on the most important opportunities and challenges for schemes currently considering their options in busy bulk annuity market. Topic areas will include approaches to illiquid assets, challenging some of the myths and pre-conceptions around what can be insured, considering the best uses of resources when preparing for a transaction and timing and strategy for optimising outcomes. The discussion will also consider the impact of surplus when considering buyout and what the experience can look like for pension scheme members.

    Speakers
    Senior Origination Actuary
    PIC
    Head of New Business Strategy
    PIC
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    A Deeper Dive into How Clara Provides Increased Security for Members and Improves Member Outcomes

    Speakers
    Chief Origination Officer
    Clara Pensions
    Head of Trustee Services
    Clara Pensions
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    A Deeper Dive into How Clara Provides Increased Security for Members and Improves Member Outcomes

    Speakers
    Chief Origination Officer
    Clara Pensions
    Head of Trustee Services
    Clara Pensions
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    Pensions in the Spotlight: Mansion House to Autumn Statement

    Richard Fox, head of UK policy at Schroders has been part of the discussions with the Government as they shape their policy on investment into UK PLC. He will share that thinking and help educate Trustees on what the Government is thinking and how they should consider this in the context of their schemes.

    Speaker
    Head of Public Policy
    Schroders
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    Challenges and opportunities for schemes considering buyout in the current market

    Deepash Amin and Louise Nash from PIC will host a discussion on the most important opportunities and challenges for schemes currently considering their options in busy bulk annuity market. Topic areas will include approaches to illiquid assets, challenging some of the myths and pre-conceptions around what can be insured, considering the best uses of resources when preparing for a transaction and timing and strategy for optimising outcomes. The discussion will also consider the impact of surplus when considering buyout and what the experience can look like for pension scheme members.

    Speakers
    Senior Origination Actuary
    PIC
    Head of New Business Strategy
    PIC
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    Coffee and Networking Break

    An ideal opportunity to connect with fellow trustees and relish refreshments provided by Fanhams Hall, for first class company and a second to none experience!

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    NextGen: A Force for Change – Why Diversity Matters

    The pension industry works to ensure the future income of over 22.6 million savers, and currently looks after over £6.1tn in private pensions, so an industry that represents members more fairly, does more to help everyone reach better outcomes in retirement. Join Chair of D&I voluntary organisation NextGen Matt Dodds to discuss why diversity and inclusion matters in your scheme, organisation and in the wider pensions sector, and hear about how NextGen is working to create an industry where diverse ideas from people of any background and profile can flourish.

    Speaker
    Co-founder and Chair
    NextGen Pensions
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    Closing Remarks
    Speaker
    Editor-In-Chief
    Professional Pensions
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    Free Time and Networking

    Please use this time to check-in to the comfort of your room.

    Along with our agenda full of fantastic speakers, you will also have the opportunity to utilise the venue’s facilities during your free time:

    • Garden walk or jogging trail
    • Fitness room
    • Afternoon Tea (pre-book only)
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    Drinks Reception

    As the sun sets and the atmosphere transforms, treat yourself to a selection of beverages and indulge in forging connections with fellow attendees. Cheers to creating memories, toasting to success, and embracing the spirit of togetherness in a setting designed to delight. Step into the allure of our drinks reception, where every connection is an opportunity waiting to be discovered.

    Before dinner, enjoy a speech by our guest speaker Nick Leeson:

    The collapse of Barings Bank and Nick Leeson’s remarkable story makes for a fascinating, insightful, and engaging after-dinner speech. Nick’s candid account will take the audience back to the early 90s where, at the age of 25, the son of a plasterer was propelled from Watford to Singapore and became a derivatives trader, heading up the Singaporean office of England’s oldest merchant bank.

    Nick takes the audience on a journey from an innocent back-office error and hiding of the losses, through to his eventual demise and failed escape back to Europe, followed by capture and incarceration in Singapore. It’s a gripping and intriguing story which sparked the best selling book, Rogue Trader, and subsequent Hollywood movie starring Ewan McGregor.

    Speaker
    Chief Executive Officer
    Bull and Bear Capital
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    Dinner

    Experience an evening of fine dining hosted by Professional Pensions at the esteemed Fanhams Hall. Set against the backdrop of this exquisite location, and sophisticated atmosphere of Fanhams Hall; This memorable dinner experience promises a night of refined dining and meaningful interactions that will leave a lasting impression.

    Please note: programme is subject to change