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Registration and Refreshments

Welcome to the Autumn Trustee Senate hosted by Professional Pensions.

As you step into this enlightening conference at the Wotton House, rest assured that your belongings will be attentively cared for while you immerse yourself in the enriching sessions of day one. During the afternoon networking break at 4pm you can check into your room from the registration desk. 

Along with our agenda full of fantastic speakers, you will also have the opportunity to utilise the venue’s facilities during your free time. These facilities include a gym and pool, as well as much more - https://wottonhouse.co.uk/leisure-club/.

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Welcome and Opening Remarks

Jonathan Stapleton, Editor- in-chief, Professional Pensions

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 a geopolitical update and outlook for 2024 and beyond from our guest Keynote Speaker, Tim Marshall, former diplomatic editor and foreign correspondent for Sky News and author of runaway bestseller Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics.

Speaker
British journalist, author, and broadcaster
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It’s All Fun and Endgames

As the market matures, and more DB schemes consider their final destinations the talk will cover the available options (now and those rumoured) and the pros and cons of each.

This session will address:

  • Funding position of the market as a whole
  • Compare the end game options available
  • Examine current trends and how smaller schemes are affected
Speaker
Head of DB Sales
Just Group
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Networking and Refreshments

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

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Running on and its investment implications

Whilst we await legislative developments that will make it easier to extract surpluses from defined benefit pension schemes, more thought is being given to the implications of running-on. Simon will discuss the scheme characteristics that may be best aligned with run-on as well as considering the investment implications of run-on from a risk management and growth targeting perspective.

This session will address:

  • The different endgame options for pension schemes, and why certain schemes may consider running-on
  • The key beneficiaries of run-on
  • How to manage sponsor covenant risk when running-on
  • The key investment strategy implications of run-on
Speaker
Head of Solutions Client Portfolio Management
CTI
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Is it (im)possible to invest in biodiversity?

As investors commit to the ambition of achieving net zero carbon by 2050, they are realising that the challenge is not climate change in isolation, but that biodiversity loss also goes hand in hand. In order to drive positive impact in one of these areas, you must consider the other.

In this session, we will explore whether it is indeed (im)possible to invest in biodiversity:

  • How do strategies invest in biodiversity?
  • How are they navigating biodiversity landscape?
  • How is their impact measured?
  • And at what point can we speak of a positive contribution to life on our planet?
Speaker
Engagement Specialist
Robeco
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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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Credit investing and implementation solutions for pension scheme endgames

As more schemes weigh up whether to consider running-on or not, we examine the different approaches to credit management and how some may be more or less suited to different endgame objectives. We also consider the implementation solutions available to schemes and how delegating day to day investment implementation can reduce trustee risk whilst improving investment outcomes.

Speakers
Director, UK Institutional
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Head of Solutions Client Portfolio Management
CTI
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Trustee Tribunal: Trustee led discussion on current issues

In this peer-to-peer session, delegates will discuss the challenges they are facing both as individual trustees and boards as well as looking at how they are working to overcome these hurdles. Trustees will have the chance to learn from each other's experiences and discuss a wide array of issues they encounter leaving them with food for thought on how to approach these developments.

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Trustee journey to buy-out

As trustees face increasing pressure to ensure the best outcomes for members, and a smooth journey to buyout, it is integral for trustees to remain informed about how best to achieve this. This interactive session will take you through the trustee experience from start to finish, answer questions you have but never asked, overcome any bumps in the road.

This session will address:

  • How to optimise engagement and get the best price
  • How to get through the data cleanse on time and on budget
  • Why Admin needn’t be the problem child
  • How to ensure your members get the best member experience post buy-out
Speakers
Head of DB Sales
Just Group
Head of Trustee Relationships
Just Group
Head of Member and Client Services
Just Group
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Trustee journey to buy-out

As trustees face increasing pressure to ensure the best outcomes for members, and a smooth journey to buyout, it is integral for trustees to remain informed about how best to achieve this. This interactive session will take you through the trustee experience from start to finish, answer questions you have but never asked, overcome any bumps in the road.

This session will address:

  • How to optimise engagement and get the best price
  • How to get through the data cleanse on time and on budget
  • Why Admin needn’t be the problem child
  • How to ensure your members get the best member experience post buy-out
Speakers
Head of DB Sales
Just Group
Head of Trustee Relationships
Just Group
Head of Member and Client Services
Just Group
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Credit investing and implementation solutions for pension scheme endgames

As more schemes weigh up whether to consider running-on or not, we examine the different approaches to credit management and how some may be more or less suited to different endgame objectives. We also consider the implementation solutions available to schemes and how delegating day to day investment implementation can reduce trustee risk whilst improving investment outcomes.

Speakers
Director, UK Institutional
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Head of Solutions Client Portfolio Management
CTI
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Trustee Tribunal: Trustee led discussion on current issues
In this peer-to-peer session, delegates will discuss the challenges they are facing both as individual trustees and boards as well as looking at how they are working to overcome these hurdles. Trustees will have the chance to learn from each other's experiences and discuss a wide array of issues they encounter leaving them with food for thought on how to approach these developments.
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    Trustee Tribunal: Trustee led discussion on current issues
    In this peer-to-peer session, delegates will discuss the challenges they are facing both as individual trustees and boards as well as looking at how they are working to overcome these hurdles. Trustees will have the chance to learn from each other's experiences and discuss a wide array of issues they encounter leaving them with food for thought on how to approach these developments.
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    Trustee journey to buy-out

    As trustees face increasing pressure to ensure the best outcomes for members, and a smooth journey to buyout, it is integral for trustees to remain informed about how best to achieve this. This interactive session will take you through the trustee experience from start to finish, answer questions you have but never asked, overcome any bumps in the road.

    This session will address:

    • How to optimise engagement and get the best price
    • How to get through the data cleanse on time and on budget
    • Why Admin needn’t be the problem child
    • How to ensure your members get the best member experience post buy-out
    Speakers
    Head of DB Sales
    Just Group
    Head of Trustee Relationships
    Just Group
    Head of Member and Client Services
    Just Group
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    Credit investing and implementation solutions for pension scheme endgames

    As more schemes weigh up whether to consider running-on or not, we examine the different approaches to credit management and how some may be more or less suited to different endgame objectives. We also consider the implementation solutions available to schemes and how delegating day to day investment implementation can reduce trustee risk whilst improving investment outcomes.

    Speakers
    Director, UK Institutional
    Columbia Threadneedle Investments
    Head of Solutions Client Portfolio Management
    CTI
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    Networking and Refreshments Break and Closing Remarks

    An ideal opportunity to connect with fellow trustees and relish refreshments provided by Wotton House, for first class company and a second to none experience! You can also use this opportunity to check into your rooms from the registration desk.

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    Free Time and Networking

    Use this opportunity to connect with fellow trustees, catch up on any work, or utilise the venue's fantastic facilities during this period of free time.

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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.

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    Dinner

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

    Before dinner, enjoy a speech by our guest speaker Jo Hamilton. Jo was one of more than 700 sub-postmasters prosecuted between 2000 and 2014 due to issues with the Post Office's faulty Horizon accounting system. Listen as she recounts her story of the Post Office scandal, which is depicted in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

    Speaker
    Former sub-postmaster

    Please note: programme is subject to change