V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

V-FM Pensions #32: Parrott flies in to chat value for money

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to professional trustee and former pensions manager Chris Parrott. As usual a wide ranging chat about all things pensions, from investing in the green transition, climate reporting, costs and charges impacting on investment returns, and Chris' take on value for money - which is all about quality. Great to chat to Chris and also hear about his career.... he's certainly worked in some pretty cool places!

V-FM Pensions #31: Budgie flies through an hour of V-FM chat

In this episode of V-FM: the Pensions Podcast Nico and Darren talk to industry legend Paul Budgen about... all sorts...
We discuss the women's world cup, Paul taking a sabbatical to study theology, his chaplaincy work and his interest in sports chaplaincy, his time in the pensions industry and, of course, what value for money means to him. We also talk about his new 'My Time' venture as he enters the world of budding entrepreneurs - you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out more!

V-FM Pensions #30: Investment and sustainability journalist Charlotte Moore talks VFM

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico talk to multi award-winning journalist Charlotte Moore. As well as having a pop at Nico for once wearing a cravat, Charlotte manages to cause trouble on the podcast on a news story about Monzo potentially entering the pensions market. We also talk fixed income, Mansion House reforms, sustainability and the importance of focussing on delivering great outcomes for savers. Charlotte also gives a hint of an upcoming piece of work that a few of us are working on looking at asset managers' approach to communicating ESG - watch this space!

V-FM Pensions#29: Vincent Franklin

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico chat to actor and Quietroom co-founder Vincent Franklin about investment, the state pension, his acting career and, of course, what value for money means to him.

VFM Special #4: the DWP value for money consultation response (and summer chat)

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, Nico and Darren chat through some high level reactions to the DWP's value for money consultation response. They also have a good old chin wag about the news, including transfer times, short term politics getting in the way of longer term policy development and concern about recently announced governance changes at the IFoA.

V-FM Pensions #28: TPR’s Louise Davey

In this episode of V-FM, Nico and Darren chat to Lou Davey from the Pensions Regulator about all things DC and value for money. Lou talks about how TPR is changing, how it is looking to drive better outcomes and its exciting agenda for reform. We also find out why Lou buys expensive trainers....

V-FM Pensions #27: Adrian Boulding talks Collective DC

In this episode of V-FM: The Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico chat to the man with many hats, the one and only Adrian Boulding about what value for money means to him. The conversation centres around Adrian's work on Collective Defined Contribution, but we also draw on Adrian's significant experience in the pensions sector and as an actuary for a fantastic conversation.

V-FM Pensions #26: The one where we discuss the avalanche of DWP consultations with Hargreaves’ Nathan Long

In this episode of V-FM Nico and Darren chat to Nathan Long from Hargreaves Lansdown. We weren't short of things to cover this week with the launch of various DWP policy papers - we discuss all that and more, including, of course, what value for money means to Nathan.

V-FM Pensions #25: Mattea Pauc, founder of Re-educating Earthlings, talks sloths, pangolins and pink grasshoppers

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to the founder of Re-educating Earthlings' Mattea Pauc about the climate crisis and how Mattea's work aims to reconnect people with nature through education. Mattea is a self publisher of two educational books, and as well as covering her excellent work, we also touch on what value for money in pensions means to her.

V-FM Pensions #24: Muse’s Ian McQuade talks lycra, investment choice, the importance of admin and value for money

In the latest episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico chat to Muse Advisory's Ian McQuade. This is a wide-ranging discussion about all things DC, including Ian bringing in a news story that we all found hard to believe. We cover the role that independent advisors such as Muse can play in helping employers and schemes really think about what good looks like from a member perspective, and, of course, what value for money means to him.