Morning, Tuesday, 8th July 2025
Online
This conference will examine policy developments and next steps for pension funds in the UK. It will be an opportunity to discuss incoming legislation, regulatory reform and market consolidation, against the backdrop of aims for increasing the contribution of pensions investment to national economic growth.
Legislative reform, investment and economic growth
Stakeholders and policymakers will assess outcomes of the Pensions Investment Review, with the final report on Phase 1 expected to be published soon. Discussion will address implications of the paused Phase 2 on pensions adequacy, as well as how the review might shape the forthcoming Pension Schemes Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament before summer recess.
The conference will also examine how these developments align with broader investment and growth-related policy goals outlined in the Mansion House 2024 agenda and the UK's Industrial Strategy, as well as the recent Mansion House Accord pledge from seventeen workplace pension providers to invest £50bn in UK assets. We also expect discussion on the potential impact of government-directed investment on pension funds’ fiduciary duties and market dynamics, and strategic considerations for economic objectives being advanced at the same time as maximising saver returns.
Pensions Schemes Bill
It will be an opportunity to assess provisions expected in the Pensions Schemes Bill that aims to consolidate Defined Contribution (DC) pension pots, establish a Value for Money framework, and introduce new duties on trustees to provide DC retirement income solutions. Delegates will consider strategies for developing and implementing effective technical solutions for pot-matching and fund transfers, as well as priorities for reducing administrative burdens and complexity for smaller schemes, and options for simplifying disclosures. Further areas for discussion include implications of minimum fund sizes for new market entrants, and possible knock-on effects on competition and innovation.
Consolidation, growth and investment priorities
Delegates will also look at the impact on investment of consolidation of DC and Local Government Pension Schemes and prospects for facilitating growth in UK firms whilst providing security and returns for savers. We also expect discussion on how pension fund investments can be aligned with the work of the National Wealth Fund and British Growth Partnership.
Small pension pots and data infrastructure
Sessions will focus on what is needed to achieve consolidation of small pension pots, with the Government’s preferred solution of a multiple default consolidator announced in April 2025. Delegates will assess priorities for the creation of a Small Pots Data Platform, those within scope, how a transfer system might function, and authorisation criteria for consolidators.
Innovation in retirement savings
The agenda will bring out latest thinking and priorities for encouraging innovation in how pension savings are accessed in retirement, including the way forward for new regulations to allow for multiple employer Collective Defined Contributions, announced by DWP in April 2025. Delegates will examine issues around transparency of valuations and how fair outcomes can be achieved across the range of consumers, alongside support needed for employers and individuals in understanding potential risks, and regulatory flexibility for multiple-employer CDC.
Governance, sustainability and ESG
Further discussion will consider next steps for fund governance, stability and sustainable investment in light of the evolving ESG agenda.
Stakeholders and policymakers will discuss implications of the new Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and new obligations under the Pension Schemes Act 2021, including fiduciary responsibilities on climate risk, ongoing work on ESG aspects of a revised FRC stewardship code, and alternative approaches to finance sustainable investment products in line with recommendations in the 2024 Transition Finance Market Review.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Patrick Coyne, Interim Director, Policy and Public Affairs, The Pensions Regulator; and Jerry Butcher, Workplace Savings Director, Scottish Widows.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DWP; DBT; DfC, NI; GLD; and The Scottish Government.
