V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

#VFM Pensions 110: Nico and Darren discuss the Spring Statement and some of the themes emerging from recent podcasts

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico pick up on some of the key topics from the last few episodes. Our one-one 'specials' have often been based around responses to consultations, but, in an evolution of the podcast format, once a month we're going to explore in more depth some of the issues raised on the regular podcast.
So tune in and hear about the Spring Statement and the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility; systemic stewardship and fiduciary responsibility, including the role of pension funds in addressing society's big issues; and systems thinking in financial services. And we also discuss the recent acquisition of Barnett Waddingham by Howdens.

VFM Pensions #109: Drumming up support for pensions: Money Alive's Ian Beestin

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat to Money Alive co-founder Ian Beestin. Best known for his love of music and drumming - and his Thursday lunchtime drum quizzes during lockdown - Ian is helping to change the face of how pension schemes and providers communicate and engage with people in the digital age.
As well as finding out how Ian got into Pensions and discussing what value for money means to him (hint: not Ryan Air...) we chat: AI and innovation in pensions communications, the need for engaging content and personalisation, The Pension Regulator's new innovation zone and what appears to be a deregulatory agenda, Torsten Bell's first big keynote speech including the continued drive for consolidation, and recent moves by USS to end reporting on emissions.
Ian also flags a recent news story in Professional Pensions highlighting their 30th Anniversary. A big shout out to Jonathan Stapleton and the team in their anniversary year - many congratulations!

VFM Pensions #108: Every little helps - Ruston Smith

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren talk to Ruston Smith. Ruston was formerly Director of Pensions at Tesco and now holds several non-exec roles at pension funds, asset managers, private businesses and charities, and is the Chair of the Pensions Management Institute.
We, of course, talk about how Ruston got into pensions and what value for money means to him. We also cover many of the big topics affecting the pensions industry and start by talking about International Women's day and Schroders' recent Women and Wealth Report.
We chat a lot about pension fund investments and productive finance, fiduciary duty, and the ethics of pension fund investment in defence. And we also discuss Ruston's work on the Lifetime Savings Initiative, pensions adequacy and work Ruston has done with the government regulators and industry to improve transparency and simplify communication. 
And, in what must be a V-FM podcast first, we also touch on ‘the unkillables’ of the Patch Plant world and Ruston squeezes in a few pop star name checks.
A great listen!

V-FM Pensions #107: Dalriada's Paul Tinslay

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat with accredited professional trustee, Paul Tinslay. Paul was previously a financial adviser before being a trustee and this comes through loud and clear in the podcast.
As well as chatting about Paul's career and finding out what value for money means to him, we discuss Make My Money Matter's closure, Fidelity's approach to pension defaults, the challenge around pensions admin and its impact on dashboards, the 'four chapters of life' approach to modern careers and retirement, and People's Pension moving the vast majority of its assets away from State Street.
Darren also goes off on a bit of a rant re a recent interaction with the DWP on behalf of a relative claiming the state pension (you might want to fast forward this bit....).
A lot in this episode!
 

VFM Pensions #106: ABI Annual Conference 2025 - Yvonne Braun and Michele Golunska

In this week's episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico chat to the ABI's Yvonne Braun and Aviva's Michele Golunska on the fringe of the ABI's 2025 Annual Conference.
We spoke to Michele and Yvonne straight after an excellent panel session looking at savings adequacy and longevity, continuing a wide ranging and in depth discussion building on the topics discussed during the panel. We chatted about pensions policy, adequacy, productive finance, pensions dashboards, advice and guidance, technology and a whole lot more.... and, of course, we asked Yvonne and Michelle what value for money means to them.

VFM Pensions #105: Benefits consulting leader Mark Pemberthy

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Benefits Consulting Leader at Gallagher, Mark Pemberthy.
A self confessed 'regular' listener to the podcast, we've been trying to get Mark on to the pod for a little while and it was great to have a chat about all things pensions.
As well as the staple topic of value for money, and, of course, finding out about how Mark got into pensions, we have a wide-ranging discussion about the pensions and savings landscape, auto enrolment, small pots and the future of regulation.
Mark had clearly done his homework ahead of appearing on the podcast and came armed with news stories galore to demonstrate the complexity of our pensions and savings system.

V-FM Pensions #104: BESTrustee's Alan Pickering

In this episode of V-FM, hosts Darren and Nico chat to trustee extraordinaire and President of BESTrustees Alan Pickering.
As well as Alan giving the podcast a scoop about the renaming of Yorkshire, we discuss: the importance of balancing the interaction between regulation, growth and consumer protection; the thorny questions of governance and conflicts of interest in the pensions industry; and Make My Money Matter's annual review of master trusts and climate change.
We chat about Alan's amazing career and how he got into pensions and, of course, ask what value for money means to him.
We also give a huge V-FM shout out to our first ever podcast guest, David Butcher, for the launch of his new mindfulness coaching programme. Congratulations David!
 

V-FM Pensions #103: LCP's David Fairs

In this episode of VFM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to LCP partner and PASA Board member David Fairs. David has had a long and distinguished career in the pension industry, including a 5-year stint at The Pensions Regulator as Executive Director responsible for Regulatory Policy, Analysis and Advice.
The pensions chat covers DB surplus extraction, Trump (again) and DEI/ESG, NEST taking a stake in IFM and People's Pension appointing itself as its own investment consultant. We also chat conflicts in the pensions industry, how David found the transition from the private to public sector, how David got into pensions, and a whole lot more.... including what value for money means to him.
The podcast also has a scoop regarding David's future.... you'll have to listen to find out more! 

VFM Pensions #102: TPR's Sarah Smart

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Chair of the Pensions Regulator Sarah Smart.
In a wide-ranging episode we chat about a lot of things including diversity (spoiler: Trump was mentioned...), climate change and climate investing, the doomsday clock ticking ever closer to midnight, surplus extraction for defined benefit schemes and the role of trustees (which caused Darren to semi-rant about conflicts of interest), and the need for innovation and scope for the use of AI in pensions and pensions regulation.
We chatted about how Sarah transitioned from the investment world to become an independent trustee, driven by a desire to make the pension system work better for people.
We also, of course, discussed value for money and current regulatory initiatives in this area, with Sarah highlighting the need for.... [well... you'll need to listen to the podcast....]. And, following hot on the heels of last week's episode, we covered the need for balance between achieving scale through consolidation and allowing for innovation and competition in the pensions market.
Lots in this one... enjoy!
 

V-FM Pensions #101: Smart chat with a smart fella - Jamie Fiveash UK CEO of Smart Pension

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to CEO of Smart UK, Jamie Fiveash. Jamie is a DC and master trust expert, is on the PLSA Board, and has had the pleasure of being Darren's boss, not once, but twice.... 
As it's our 101st episode (finally we've got a new numbering system...) we play a little game of Room 101... what will our guest and hosts consign to history (hint: first Brexit rant of the year from Darren)?
Given the timing of the episode we had to talk about Trump.... but we spend most of our time chatting DC, productive finance, scale and consolidation, pensions reform and IHT.
We find out how Jamie got into pensions and, of course, ask what value for money means to him.