V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

V-FM Podcast #11:The one where we chat VFM measurement, private markets and offsets (oh... and the Budget) with Julius Pursaill

In this episode Darren and Nico chat all things V-FM and a lot more with Cushon's Julius Pursaill. Recorded on the day after Budget 2023 we talk about the main pensions budget measures, before tackling measuring VFM, investment in private markets and the use of offsets.

V-FM Podcast #10: The one where we chat to the architect of the DWP’s Value for Money consultation - Des Healy

In this episode, Nico and Darren chat value for money, investment and pensions with the DWP's Des Healy. 

V-FM#9: XPS DC guru Sophia Singleton chats value for money

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to Sophia Singleton from XPS about how she got into pensions, her career to date and, of course, her views on VFM. Sophia talks about the need to for schemes and providers to focus on providing an income - a common theme that is emerging among our guests.

V-FM Podcast #8: Pensions chat with Nest’s Zoe Alexander

In this episode Nico and Darren chat with NEST's Zoe Alexander about what pensions value for money means to her

V-FM Podcast #7: A chat with Chezzer

In this episode Darren and Nico talk to Andy Cheseldine, all round DC guru and small pots czar about value for money and his work on trying to drive forward a solution to the small pots problem. We ask Andy if he could only have one solution to the small pots problem what would it be: pot follows member or consolidators? You'll have to listen to find out what Andy had to say!

V-FM Podcast #6 - the one where the Pensions Ploughman (Henry Tapper) gives his take on Value for Money

Darren and Nico chat to Agewage CEO and prolific pensions blogger Henry Tapper. We learn why Henry became known as the Pension Ploughman, how he stumbled into his pensions career, and, of course, discussed Henry's views on the recent V-FM consultation.
Is supporting Yeovil Town value for money? Listen to this episode to find out!

V-FM Podcast #5: The one where we eat cake and chat to Gregg McClymont about scale and Australia

In this week's episode of V-FM: Pensions, Nico and Darren chat to former Pensions Minister Gregg McClymont about politics, pensions, scale and, of course, value for money.

VFM: Pensions special - the one where Nico and Darren chat through key themes emerging from the DWP’s VFM consultation

In this special episode of V-FM: Pensions your hosts Nico Aspinall and Darren Philp talk about the DWP's DC pensions value for money consultation launched on Monday 30th January 2023. Is it a hit or a miss? Will it move the VFM dial in DC pensions?

V-FM Podcast #4: The one where Amanda Latham floats the idea of a new national pensions service

Nico and Darren talk to Amanda Latham who used to work at the Pensions Regulator and now works on strategy at the consultancy Barnett Waddingham. A wide ranging chat including talking about how Amanda got into pensions, the use of offsets, and an idea to set up a new national pensions service to provide more support and help to people in managing their retirement, delivering more value for money to more people.

V-FM Podcast #3: The one where David Farrar talks about libraries, metallurgy and value for money

Nico and Darren talk to the one and only David Farrar who worked on workplace pensions at the Department for Work and Pensions for 7 years. We chat to David about his time at DWP and his role in the various VFM initiatives that we are still discussing now (including the charge cap).