V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

V-FM Pensions #58: Railpen's John Chilman

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to the CEO of Railpen John Chilman. As well as heading up one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, John is also chair of the PLSA Policy Board and chair of the Pensions Policy Institute's Finance Committee.
We find out about a new Chechnyan law that means that this podcast will now be banned in that country (due to Nico's music...).
We talk about all the classic VFM topics that you'd expect, including what motivates John and, of course, what value for money means to him. 

V-FM Pensions #57:The ABI's Rob Yuille

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to the ABI's pensions and long term savings guru Rob Yuille. Rob's seen it all in his 12 years at the ABI and, along with his team, has been instrumental in feeding in to the big pensions policy debates and discussions.
A discussion that covers the plethora of changes coming into effect at the beginning of the next tax year (cue discussion about the LTA and pensions tax relief), recent research on pot for life, TPR's climate commitments and a whole lot more, including, of course, Rob's take on value for money (with a couple of good analogies thrown in on cars and speakers....).
 

V-FM Pensions #56: Emma Douglas

In the latest episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Aviva's Managing Director (workplace) Emma Douglas. 
The usual canter through the V-FM staples of dashboards, productive finance, fees and charges and investments, is hijacked by some very important and timely health advice, a pop quiz on bamboo toilet roll, bin liners and, to top it all off, we had a very passable Yoda impression. We also had a big announcement with V-FM doing its first show with a live audience!!
We had some technical issues while recording the podcast (basically Darren's computer metaphorically blew up) so had to record over two sessions, but we got there in the end!

V-FM Pensions #55: Making money matter with Tony Burdon

In this episode hosts Darren and Nico spend an hour chatting to the CEO of Make My Money Matter Tony Burdon.
 
We talk about what Tony is trying to achieve (alongside Richard Curtis) with Make My Money Matter, his innovative campaigns (have you checked out Oblivia Coalmine...?), and the power that pension schemes and insurers can leverage in delivering meaningful change to help tackle the world's climate challenges. We also chat pension freedoms ten years on and whether we need two regulators.
 
Tony has had a really interesting purpose-driven career having worked at Oxfam before joining the Treasury (giving a certain Gordon Brown a 5 point ultimatum) and subsequently the Department for International Development (as it was at the time).

V-FM Pensions #54: Lifetime savings with James Barham

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to Executive Chair of Schroders Solutions James Barham.
 
As well as the usual V-FM chat and a discussion about the news and topical pensions issues (including Jeremy Hunt's disclosure drive for UK pension funds and Hymans latest retirement research), we talk about the recently launched Lifetime Savings Report that Schroders have carried out with the Pensions Management Institute. We also, of course, ask James what value for money means to him.

V-FM Pensions #53: Pensions for a Purpose with Charlotte O'Leary

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Nico and Darren chat to the CEO of Pensions for Purpose, Charlotte O'Leary.
 
This episode was recorded on the morning of Jeremy Hunt's 2024 Budget, so we had a bit of speculation, alongside discussion of some of the pre-announced pensions measures. We discussed the gender pensions gap, something Charlotte campaigns passionately about, moves by the Chancellor to force DC schemes to disclose their assets held in the UK and the introduction of Aus-style performance league tables, and the recent investment changes by The People's Pension. We also discuss systems change and whether fiduciary duty hampers Trustees from investing with a purpose.
 
The episode ends on a discussion about fitness where Nico outrageously questions Darren's commitment to the fitness cause (Charlotte is an uber-athlete). But we also talk about the importance of neurodiversity in decision-making and keeping the mind as well as the body fighting fit.
 
A fabulous episode!

V-FM Pensions #52: NEST CEO Helen Dean

In this episode of V-FM Pensions Darren and Nico chat to one of the architects of auto enrolment in the UK and current NEST CEO Helen Dean.
 
Helen talks about her role in helping to deliver the biggest pension reform ever seen in the UK and the creation of NEST. This episode has it all.... pensions, the need for scale, productive finance, wider savings and financial wellbeing, and, of course, we ask Helen what value for money means to her. 

V-FM Pensions #51: Joanne Segars talks gender pensions, productive finance and value for money

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, hosts Darren and Nico spend an hour chatting to Joanne Segars.
Having been in the driving seat behind the NAPF and PLSA for a number of years, and a stalwart of the pensions industry, Joanne now has an impressive portfolio career including chairing the Now Pensions trustee board, the LGPS Central Pool and Legal and General's Independent Governance Committee. She is also a member of CERN's pensions governance board (cue a couple of dodgy one liners from Darren).
We talk about the gender pensions gap, pensions engagement, consolidation and supertrusts, and productive finance.
We also, of course, ask Joanne what value for money means to her!
 

V-FM Pensions #50: Aon's Jo Sharples

In this episode of V-FM, your hosts Nico and Darren talk value for money with Aon's Jo Sharples. An actuary by trade, Jo has spent her career in a variety of different roles at Aon and is currently CIO of Aon's DC solutions.
 
As well as the usual V-FM chat, this episode covers the latest inflation figures and the PLSA's retirement living standards, calls from the People's Pension for a new Pensions Commission and a recent FT piece highlighting how climate change is affecting insurance and reinsurance availability. 

V-FM Pensions #49: Sir Steve

In this episode of V-FM, Darren and Nico chat to Sir Steve Webb about politics, pensions and his time leading the pensions charge during his time as pensions minister.
 
Steve was in post for 5 years and broke the mould of having a new pensions minister every nine months or so. He was instrumental in reviewing and helping to deliver the auto enrolment reforms and in the introduction of the single tier pension. He also had his finger prints on the pensions triple lock; the Lib Dem manifesto commitment that made its way into the Coalition Agreement. He certainly made the most of his time in the pensions hot seat!
 
We talk PLSA retirement living standards, tax relief and the LTA, triple lock and the state pension, pensions freedom and choice, small pots consolidation and pot for life, and a whole lot more! We also find out what value for money means to Steve.