Tuesday 17th
16:30 – 18:00
Pre-conference discussion: The evolving role of the consultant
As the DB sector – both public and private – continues to evolve and mature, will the role of the consultant need to adapt? Our panel examines how consultants work with pension schemes and asks the question: what does the future of investment consulting look like?
Participant
Pete Smith
Principal and Head of Sustainable Investment
Barnett Waddingham
19:00
Dinner at La Vista
Wednesday 18th | Morning Sessions
Devil’s Advocates – Morning
Henry Tapper, Chair, AgeWage
08:30 – 09:00
Registration, coffee and early networking
09:00 – 09:05
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Chair
John Harrison
Adviser
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
09:05 – 09:25
Presentation: Pension reforms: what next?
We have a new Government, but does that mean a new approach to pensions? During this session, our speaker will discuss what the new government might mean for UK pension policy, and how this might impact Defined Benefit, LGPS and Defined Contribution pension schemes.
Presenter
Rich Fox
Head of UK Public Policy
Schroders
09:25 – 10:05
Panel: The changing nature of DB investment
There’s so much going on affecting defined benefit pensions: the focus on value; consolidation; mansion house; investing with impact and helping protect the planet; dealing with the continuing fallout from the gilt’s crisis, and the list could go on… but DB scheme’s funding positions are on the whole in rude health. Our expert panel will unpick the key forces that are driving change for public and private sector defined benefit schemes.
10:05 – 10:25
Presentation: Fixed income opportunities
Speaker to be confirmed: T. Rowe Price
10:25 – 10:45
Presentation: Snapping up UK small caps
Presenter
Victoria Stevens
Fund Manager
Liontrust Asset Management
10:45 – 11:05
Interview: Implementing Mansion House reforms
Mansion House has been the buzz phrase since the start of the year and is the UK Government’s attempt to create an alignment between pension scheme investments and driving forward the productive finance agenda, and, of course, UK economic growth. But what does this all mean? How should schemes view the Mansion House reforms especially when it comes to thinking about productive investments for their schemes? And what does it mean for scheme’s fiduciary responsibilities?
11:05 – 11:35
Coffee
11:35 – 12:15
Panel: Credit & LGPS asset allocation
Our LGPS super panel with representatives from Scottish funds will look at some of the key asset allocation challenges in the LGPS. What’s hot, what’s not, and what should schemes be looking in delivering their approach to deliver better investment performance while delivering impact? This panel will explore that and more.
Moderator
Eric Lambert
Independent Investment Adviser
Panellists
Emmanuel Bocquet
Chief Investment Officer
Lothian Pension Fund
Laura Colliss
Pension Fund Manager
North East Scotland Pension Fund
Craig Scordellis
CIO Credit
Manulife CQS
12:15 – 13:00
Roundtable Discussion: Consolidation, consolidation, consolidation
Our roundtable discussion will unpick some of the key drivers and barriers to scheme consolidation across private and public sector DB schemes. What are the opportunities presented through consolidation? What are the barriers and concerns? Will incentives and a nudge to consolidation be enough, or will the government have to double down on mandating schemes to consolidate?
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
Wednesday 18th | Afternoon Sessions
14:00 – 14:30
Keynote presentation
Presenter
Neil Bull
Executive Director of Market Oversight
The Pensions Regulator
14:30 – 15:10
Panel: Local impact investment solutions
15:10 – 15:30
Presentation: Private markets – measuring and managing market risk
15:30 – 16:10
Panel: Integrating natural capital into UK pension funds
We’re in an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges and shifting economic landscapes. Investing in natural capital has emerged as a crucial strategy for delivering sustainable growth. Our panel will explore the opportunities, benefits and challenges associated with integrating natural capital into pension scheme investments.
Panellists
Rebecca Craddock-Taylor
Director, Sustainable Investment
Gresham House
Pete Smith
Principal and Head of Sustainable Investment
Barnett Waddingham
Speaker to be confirmed: Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners
16:10 – 16:30
Coffee
16:30 – 17:10
Panel: Bringing it all together – what the changing landscape means for schemes and scheme investments
Our final panel session of the day will hear from those at the coalface of dealing change across private and public sector DB. Is consolidation the panacea that politicians think it is? What does the economic and regulatory content mean for schemes and how will this evolve over the next 10 years?
17:10 – 17:20
Devil’s Advocate Summaries
17:20 – 17:30
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Chair
John Harrison
Adviser
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
17:30 – 18:30
Drinks Reception
19:00
Gala Dinner at Cameron House
