V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

VFM Pensions #85: David Porter

In this episode of V-FM the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat to the legend that is David Porter. David is now an independent investment consultant who helps schemes and providers implement new approaches.
As well as talking about what value for money means to David, we also chat Royal Mail CDC, CDC more generally and Willis Towers Watson arguing that DC is 'broken', deaths outnumbering births in the UK and the cost of a pint of beer! 

V-FM Pensions #84: Tackling costs and scaling up...Brightwell's Morten Nilsson talks value for money

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat with Morten Nilsson, CEO of Brightwell, about what value for money means to him.
As we move to cover more than just defined contribution pensions we spend time talking about the challenges and rising costs of running defined benefit schemes, the impact and cost of advisers, and conflicts of interest within the pensions industry.
We chat about the importance of consolidation, not just in the DC and LGPS sectors, but also for private sector DB. In Morten's eyes small schemes need to collaborate to reach a scale that allows for better management and value for money. 
We also chat about what the future holds and Morten is clear that DB pensions will remain important for decades, despite many schemes now being closed; there are exciting opportunities for trustees and sponsors to manage surpluses creatively.

V-FM Pensions #83: Bravura's Jon Hawkins talks Pensions Dashboards

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, hosts Darren and Nico are joined by Jonathan Hawkins, Propositions Lead at Bravura, to dive deep into what Value for Money (VFM) means in the pensions world.
As we navigate Pensions Dashboard Week, Jonathan shares insights on the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces as it prepares for one of the biggest transformations in recent times. We discuss the impact of technology—or the lack thereof—in delivering VFM, the role of data quality, and the importance of evolving core pension systems to meet future customer needs.
Jonathan doesn’t hold back on highlighting where the industry needs to improve, from outdated tech to how the sector can better engage with underrepresented groups.

V-FM Pensions #82: Man of the People's.... Patrick Heath-Lay

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to their former boss and Chief Executive of the People's Partnership Patrick Heath-Lay. Patrick has been at People's (formerly B&CE) for his whole career and has a remarkable story of joining the organisation to deliver the mail and then working his way up to become CEO of one of the largest pension schemes in the country.
We, of course, ask Patrick what value for money means to him, but we also have an in depth discussion about policy and what's in the store for the future. We chat pensions adequacy, the Government's pensions review and productive finance. We also cover transfers, consolidation and scheme quality and the evolution of pensions in the UK, including how Patrick (and others) came together to truly disrupt the pensions market with the launch of the People's Pension back in 2011.
The most surprising thing about this episode though... Patrick is even complimentary about Nico's piano playing!

V-FM Pensions #81: The FCA's value for money consultation

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat about the Financial Conduct Authority's value for money consultation CP24-16.
What do we like, what don't we like, what do we think will work, and where is there room for improvement? Listen to find out all this and more.

V-FM Pensions #80: LCPs Steve Budge

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to DC consultant extraordinaire LCP's Steve Budge. Steve has an amazing career in pensions consultancy and we tap into his significant insights and knowledge of DC pensions as we navigate some of the big issues at the front of the industry's minds.
The podcast was recorded on the launch day of the latest Pension Attention campaign so we discuss that. We also spend a lot of time chatting about the Government's pensions review call for evidence, as well as a new report on the "Capital Markets of tomorrow" that looks at unlocking pension fund investment for the future. We speculate about the speculation around reforms to pensions tax relief and, of course, ask Steve what value for money means to him.
 

V-FM Pensions #79: A golden chat with Claire Lincoln

In this episode of V-FM pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to the World Gold Council's Claire Lincoln.
As well as having lots of experience in pensions and investments, Claire is an expert on wine... so, of course, alongside the usual V-FM chat we find out what vino for money means to her!
A very wide ranging discussion this week where we cover the state of the economy and public finances, pensions tax relief, TPT research on the DB endgame, increasing minimum contribution levels, possible increases in employer national insurance contributions and a whole lot more.

V-FM Pensions #78: TOR's David Harris

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren, talk to TOR's David Harris about planes, pensions, policy, and, of course, value for money.
David has some amazing international pensions experience and his consultancy (celebrating its 20th year) is well know for creating international connections. He is also known for clocking up the air miles and spends more time in the air than on terra firma.
As well as a bit of the expected cricket chatter, David confesses to being an Ipswich Town fan (Ed: enjoy this season while it lasts, David!). We also discuss pension transfers (following the excellent article in Professional Pensions looking at incentives), tax relief, contribution rates, investment in defence and nuclear, David's aviation business and a whole lot more!

V-FM Pensions #77: The PPI's Sarah Luheshi

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to the PPI's current deputy director Sarah Luheshi. Sarah is retiring at the end of August after an amazing career in the financial services industry, culminating with a fantastic 9 years at the Pensions Policy Institute.
In a jam-packed podcast, as well as chatting about the weekly staple of value for money, we talk about Labour's pensions review and the need for it to take a holistic approach, the PPI's pensions framework, pensions adequacy, the launch of a provider transfer rating service, and productive finance think pieces from the PLSA and Policy Exchange.
We wish Sarah all the best for her retirement.....but we don't think for a second that she'll totally break connections with an industry she has contributed so significantly to!

V-FM Pensions #76: Policy, politics and pensions with Gregg McClymont

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to IFM's Executive Director of Public Affairs and former Shadow Pensions Minister Gregg McClymont.
Gregg returns to the podcast after being one of our first guests (episode #5) so we take the opportunity to find out what Gregg's been up to and look to get underneath the skin of what's driving change in the pensions industry. We talk about consolidation, scale, productive finance and draw on Gregg's significant experience and insight of the Australian and Canadian pension systems.