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Breakfast and Free Working Time

Indulge in a delightful breakfast experience at Wotton House.

As you begin your day, we kindly request that you use this time to complete your check-out process before 9am. Rest assured, your belongings will be in excellent care with Wotton House while you immerse yourself in the second day of enriching sessions at our Autumn Trustee Senate. 

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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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Fireside Insights: Should Schemes Provide More Services for Their Members?
The trend for schemes offering retirement support through access to financial advice and modelling to members is continuing to rise; but can we do more to help members other than paying their pensions each month?
This session will address: 
  • Should members have more benefits in retirement and why?
  • How have MNOPF provided more services for members?
  • How have MNOPF traced and contacted members effectively, and were there any hurdles in doing so?
  • Why do we only pay pensions once a month, and is it possible for schemes to allow pensioners to access money as and when they need it?
Speaker
MNOPF Chair
MNOPF Trustees
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All Aboard: An Update from The Pensions Dashboard Programme

Connection-ready means being 95% prepared to connect to the PDP ecosystem, which must happen for schemes between late 2024 and October 2026. Additionally, schemes must meet dashboard duties post connection, data matching, view requests at scale, report on data coverage rates, and be running on its integrated service provider. The lack of staging deadlines has deprioritised dashboards for many schemes, but that resourcing challenges within the industry mean action is necessary now. Despite guidance on dashboards, it is ultimately the responsibility of trustees to get data matching processes in order. If trustees address these challenges now, they will benefit from cost and time savings once dashboards are launched.

This session will address:

  • How will dashboards work in practicality? What are schemes doing to get their data ready for Dashboards?
  • What are the challenges with preparing for dashboards and how hard are schemes finding them?
  • What can schemes be doing to overcome these challenges?
Speaker
Principal
Pensions Dashboard Programme
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Coffee and Networking Break

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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Glass Half Full: Navigating The Future of Illiquids for Schemes

In the last decade, pension schemes of various structures have significantly increased allocations to illiquid assets. In contrast, UK DC schemes have been more cautious in entering the illiquid space. However, with the chancellor's Mansion House Compact, the stage is set for a substantial increase in illiquid assets. As this landscape evolves, what considerations should schemes bear in mind?

This session will address:

  • Potential pitfalls and overlooked investment risks
  • Lessons learnt from the September 2022 Mini Budget
  • Strategies for schemes to adjust portfolios, optimising risk-adjusted returns and enhancing resilience
Speaker
Principal and Senior Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
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Know The Ropes: The Future of Trusteeship

Last year, a consultation on trustee skills and registration aimed to enhance trustee capabilities and eliminate barriers to sound investment decisions. The trustee role is challenging and carries significant responsibility, requiring proper support, skills, knowledge, and experience for optimal outcomes for pension savers. Many DB sponsors anticipate a rise in the utilisation of professional independent trustees. Yet, the question remains: how will this affect board diversity and compromise the collective trustee board?

This panel discussion will address:

  • What does the future of trusteeship look like?
  • How do you ensure you have got the right skillset to be able to be ready for future decisions?
  • What are the practical steps for upskilling? What is the value of lay and member nominated trustees?
  • Does sole trusteeship affect DEI values and ESOG?
Speakers
Managing Director
Capital Cranfield
AMNT
Co-Chair
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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 2 Boardrooms

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Nature loss: how can investors drive change?

In this session, we will discuss the building blocks of corporate engagement and the tools available to investors to influence and gain insights on the companies they hold. Following on from Robeco’s plenary session on biodiversity, we will focus on engagement and stewardship to mitigate the risks posed by nature loss. We will examine the collaborative initiatives currently working on the topic, the challenges and opportunities in engagement and several case studies. As investors and regulators become increasingly aware of the financial risks and impact of nature loss, we hope to highlight tangible ways in which investors can begin to tackle the issue.

Speaker
Engagement Specialist
Robeco
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Trustee Trail

During this session enjoy a stunning walk around the beautiful grounds of Wotton House. Set within the Surrey Hills Landscape this walk will take you through the beautiful gardens of Wotton House which is populated with the woodlands and waterways that surround the hotel. Use this time to enjoy some fresh air, soak up the scenery, and connect with fellow delegates along the way.

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Private Matters: Embracing Private Markets in A New Financial Landscape

Private markets are evolving, promising opportunities and challenges for the industry. Historically, pension schemes have favoured equities when constructing their portfolios, but with the emergence of innovative fund structures and investment vehicles, such as LTAFs, barriers to private market investing are falling away. None the less, the end of the "easy money era" requires new approaches to private market investing. So, how should pension schemes adapt their strategies to effectively embrace private markets in this new financial landscape?

This session will address:

  • The pros and cons of private versus public markets
  • Should pension funds allocate more to private markets?
  • How should schemes react to government initiatives designed to boost pension fund's private asset investment?
  • How have the Mansion House Reforms affected private markets?
Speakers
Principal and Senior Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
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Private Matters: Embracing Private Markets in A New Financial Landscape

Private markets are evolving, promising opportunities and challenges for the industry. Historically, pension schemes have favoured equities when constructing their portfolios, but with the emergence of innovative fund structures and investment vehicles, such as LTAFs, barriers to private market investing are falling away. None the less, the end of the "easy money era" requires new approaches to private market investing. So, how should pension schemes adapt their strategies to effectively embrace private markets in this new financial landscape?

This session will address:

  • The pros and cons of private versus public markets
  • Should pension funds allocate more to private markets?
  • How should schemes react to government initiatives designed to boost pension fund's private asset investment?
  • How have the Mansion House Reforms affected private markets?
Speakers
Principal and Senior Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
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Nature loss: how can investors drive change?
In this session, we will discuss the building blocks of corporate engagement and the tools available to investors to influence and gain insights on the companies they hold. Following on from Robeco’s plenary session on biodiversity, we will focus on engagement and stewardship to mitigate the risks posed by nature loss. We will examine the collaborative initiatives currently working on the topic, the challenges and opportunities in engagement and several case studies. As investors and regulators become increasingly aware of the financial risks and impact of nature loss, we hope to highlight tangible ways in which investors can begin to tackle the issue.
Speaker
Engagement Specialist
Robeco
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Trustee Trail

During this session enjoy a stunning walk around the beautiful grounds of Wotton House. Set within the Surrey Hills Landscape this walk will take you through the beautiful gardens of Wotton House which is populated with the woodlands and waterways that surround the hotel. Use this time to enjoy some fresh air, soak up the scenery, and connect with fellow delegates along the way.

Boardroom 3

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Trustee Trail
During this session enjoy a stunning walk around the beautiful grounds of Wotton House. Set within the Surrey Hills Landscape this walk will take you through the beautiful gardens of Wotton House which is populated with the woodlands and waterways that surround the hotel. Use this time to enjoy some fresh air, soak up the scenery, and connect with fellow delegates along the way.
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Private Matters: Embracing Private Markets in A New Financial Landscape

Private markets are evolving, promising opportunities and challenges for the industry. Historically, pension schemes have favoured equities when constructing their portfolios, but with the emergence of innovative fund structures and investment vehicles, such as LTAFs, barriers to private market investing are falling away. None the less, the end of the "easy money era" requires new approaches to private market investing. So, how should pension schemes adapt their strategies to effectively embrace private markets in this new financial landscape?

This session will address:

  • The pros and cons of private versus public markets
  • Should pension funds allocate more to private markets?
  • How should schemes react to government initiatives designed to boost pension fund's private asset investment?
  • How have the Mansion House Reforms affected private markets?
Speakers
Principal and Senior Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
Investment Consultant
Barnett Waddingham
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Nature loss: how can investors drive change?

In this session, we will discuss the building blocks of corporate engagement and the tools available to investors to influence and gain insights on the companies they hold. Following on from Robeco’s plenary session on biodiversity, we will focus on engagement and stewardship to mitigate the risks posed by nature loss. We will examine the collaborative initiatives currently working on the topic, the challenges and opportunities in engagement and several case studies. As investors and regulators become increasingly aware of the financial risks and impact of nature loss, we hope to highlight tangible ways in which investors can begin to tackle the issue.

Speaker
Engagement Specialist
Robeco
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The Final Curtain: An Update from The Pensions Regulator

TPR has finally released its eagerly anticipated general code of practice, providing governing bodies with the chance to ensure their schemes align with the governance standards expected by TPR and deserved by savers. With many predicting that upcoming changes to government legislation, regulations, and policies will pose significant challenges for the pensions industry in 2024 and beyond; What better way to address these concerns than by receiving updates directly from TPR and having the opportunity to pose any pressing questions.

This session will address: 

  • An updated from TPR
  • What can the industry expect to see?
  • Your biggest questions and worries with existing and upcoming regulation
Speaker
Interim Head of Supervision
The Pensions Regulator
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Closing Remarks
Speaker
Editor-In-Chief
Professional Pensions

Please note: programme is subject to change