V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

In this episode hosts Darren and Nico chat to all round pensions industry legend Sally Bridgeland.   Tune in to find out how Margaret Thatcher encouraged Sally to get on her bike, how James Bond style space lasers are nearing reality, and how Sally got into pensions (inducing a discussion on sexism in the city and some of the barriers that Sally and others face). We discussed the People's Pensions new RI policy, Pensions Bee research covering investment in tech giants and why actuaries can't count.   We also, of course, chat about what Value for Money means to Sally.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, co hosts Nico and Darren spend an hour chatting about the news, life and some of the the themes coming out of the podcast so far this year. We also, of course, discuss Arsenal. We chat about AE contribution rates, transfer incentives, at retirement, politics and value for money. And we pay tribute to Frank Field, who recently sadly passed away, for his contribution to politics and welfare reform. Nico also asks Darren about his new venture as part of Untamed Consulting.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Royal London's Director of Policy Jamie Jenkins. As well as being a star billiards player, Jamie is a bit of a pensions legend having led the policy charge at Standard Life and now Royal London. Jamie is a PPI trustee, PLSA policy board member, and was one of three reviewers looking at how to improve auto enrolment back in 2017. We chat dashboards, at retirement, earth day, adequacy, and all the topics you would expect us to cover in just over an hour's worth of V-FM chat. In another V-FM first, we also find out a bit about billiards.

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.

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....).

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!

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).

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

In this episode of V-FM, the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat the Pension Policy Institute's Chris Curry. Chris is also Principal of the Pensions Dashboards programme. As usual, topics for discussion are wide and varied: labour's pensions review, DC priorities for 2024, consolidation, the PPI's Policy Wheel, state pensions, admin, data and dashboards and, of course, what value for money means to Chris! (spoiler: it's the PPI!) As an added bonus, and in a V-FM podcast first, Nico gets to crack the first quantum mechanics joke on V-FM!

In the first V-FM special of 2024, Nico and Darren talk to Lord David Willets of Havant. Lord Willets served as Minister of State for Universities and Science from 2010 until July 2014, as well as being in John Major’s Government in the mid 1990s. He became a member of the House of Lords in 2015 and is President of the Resolution Foundation. This podcast has it all: intergenerational inequality and his book titled 'The Pinch', state pensions, housing, auto enrolment, and productive finance. We also, of course, ask Lord Willets what value for money means to him.

In this season opener, Darren and Nico chat to Scottish Widows' Pete Glancy and Rob Cochran. We welcomed Rob back to the pod to talk about his Mountain Warehouse rucksack, and Pete joined us to talk snooker and fine wines. In the podcast we look forward to the year ahead and chat about the importance of communicating effectively. We talk Big Zuu and pensions attention, pot for life, the pensions mirror, understanding members, and, of course, value for money and consolidation.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Nico and Darren look back on season one of the podcast, picking out some of the key themes and talking points that have been raised by our fantastic guests over the past year. We cover value for money, dashboards, at retirement, Mansion House reforms, small pots and a whole lot more!   Seasons greetings to all our listeners! We'll be back with season two in 2024...!!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Nico and Darren chat to former Australian politician and now Super trustee, Nick Sherry. Nick squeezes in a cheeky reference to the cricket, but discussion quickly moves on to Aussie Rules (phew...!). Nick was Australia's first Superannuation Minister and has been instrumental in shaping the highly-regarded Australian system. We talk about all the topics you'd expect us to discuss and more: certainly lots of lessons for UK pensions from our friends down under.

In this episode of V-FM Darren and Nico chat to Paul Watson who has had a distinguished career shaping and helping deliver the Australian Superannuation system. We ban Paul from talking about cricket... but we cover loads of ground including illiquid investments, the mansion house reforms, dashboards, admin, net benefit and value for money, and pot for life to name just a few topics. Paul's visit was incredibly timely given the Chancellor's Autumn Statement announcements and it was great to hear Paul's perspective and insights on what this all might mean.

In this episode of V-FM: The Pensions Podcast Darren and Nico have a great chat with Railpen's Caroline Escott. Caroline wears many different hats and, in addition to being a senior investment adviser at Railpen, is Chair of NextGen and a trustee director for the Standard Life mastertrust. We, of course, discuss aspects of the autumn statement. But we also discuss stewardship, responsible investment and Caroline's fantastic work with Next Gen.

In this episode of V-FM, Nico and Darren talk to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and governance specialist Uche Enemchukwu. Uche is a passionate employee benefits champion and co-founded Nelu, a US-based employee benefits consultancy. We chat the FCA diversity and inclusion consultation, research showing 'wasted' spend by employers through their employee benefit strategies, Labour's proposed pensions review and a whole host of things covering employee benefits and DE&I. We also chat a bit about value for money.

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to the People's Partnership's pensions policy guru Tim Gosling. Tim is a real policy expert, loves getting stuck into the detail and offers his views on a wide range of topics including the Covid inquiry, productive finance, small pots, pension levies, at retirement, and costs and charges. We also ask Tim what value for money means to him.

In the longest episode so far of V-FM: the Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico are joined by Richard Smith for 90 or so minutes of pure pensions dashboards delight. Richard kindly surprises Darren and Nico with a gift, gives an amazing (and unexpected) answer to the value for money question and chats through the latest dashboard developments, including highlighting the findings from his recent dashboard tour of Europe. Richard's commitment, energy and passion towards pension dashboards is infectious.

In this episode of V-FM: The Pensions Podcast, Darren and Nico chat to Will Martindale, co-founder of recently launched Canbury insights. We talk about Will's career, including at the UN PRI and a stint at Oxfam, and why he decided to co-found and launch Canbury. We discuss geopolitics, regulation, biodiversity, the MPs pension scheme and pension credit. And, of course, we chat about what value for money means to Will.

In this episode of V-FM: The Pensions Podcast, Nico and Darren welcome Margaret Snowdon, OBE to the pod. Margaret has an amazing pension career and continues to be very active in the industry, most notably through her work on leading the good fight against the scammers. Margaret, just back from a break in South Africa where she was tracking leopards, covers a lot of ground. We chat about the new financial advice task force she is involved with, consolidation, risk and Margaret's work on tackling scams including more recent work she has been doing on investment scams.

In this episode of V-FM: The Pensions Podcast Darren and Nico have the pleasure of chatting to Alistair Byrne from State Street Global Advisors. Alistair's seen it all when it comes to DC investment and has also spent time in academia researching and writing about behavioural finance. We cover DB transfers, mastertrust regulation, behavioural finance, private equity and illiquids. And, of course, we ask Alistair what value for money means to him.

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to Liz Pfeuti, Chief Client Officer at Rhotic Media, about pension schemes and climate change, the general levy, illiquid investments and the general state of politics and policymaking. We also chat about value for money in DC pensions....

In this episode of V-FM, the pensions podcast, Nico and Darren chat to Louise Farrand, former journalist, now a freelancer and Executive Director of the DCIF. We talk about Lou's time as a journalist and editor of Pensions Insight and how Lou views value for money in her life (and pensions). Lou also brings in a coupe of cracking news stories about great thinkers and home working. Nico and Darren also learn what a "shoffice" is.....

In this episode of V-FM the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat to the CEO of WPS Advisory Simon Chrystal. A great chat going beyond pensions focusing on people and communication alongside with an impromptu game of Mallet's Mallet in celebration of the Pensions Attention campaign.

In this episode of V-FM, the pensions podcast, Nico and Darren chat to the editor of corporate adviser, John Greenwood about what value for money means to him. In a wide ranging discussion, the trio talk about the state pension, pension scams, CDC, contracting out, and John's work in developing the 'CAPA index' as a way for the industry and others to compare investment performance.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions Darren and Nico chat to Barnett Waddingham's Damian Stancombe. We talk about people's relationship with work, calls from an asset manager to increase pension contributions, the pensions walk and talk, and Damian's personal countdown to retirement. We also chat a bit about value for money. Cracking episode this one! Also tune in to hear Nico's dodgy attempt as a Russian accent.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of V-FM The Pensions Podcast, Nico and Darren chat to Andrew Warwick-Thompson, formerly of the Pensions Regulator and now a professional trustee. We cover loads, including master trust authorisation, transfer scams, illiquid investments, market consolidation and the importance of ED&I in the consideration of value for money. Well worth a listen!

In this episode Darren and Nico have the pleasure of speaking to Retirement Line's Mark Ormston about value for money in DC pensions, particularly focussed on at retirement and annuities. We also discuss CDC as well as other topical items in our usual round up of the pensions news.

In the latest episode of VFM the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat to Altus' director of life and pensions, Robert Holford. Robert has had a distinguished career in the industry spanning the consultancy Spence Johnson, the FCA and TPR. We, of course, talk all things V-FM, but we also get the tragedy of the commons into the discussion and a bit of a random chat about handbags... Enjoy!!

In this episode, Nico and Darren chat to Broadstone's new head of market engagement, Simon Kew. As well as the obligatory chat about value for money, we talk about Robin Ellison's call for trade association consolidation, CDC, the revival of annuities and Simon's rescue greyhound, Rudy.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico take a step back and reflect on some of the key points and debates that have cropped up in the podcast so far. Retail vs institutional; forward looking vs backward looking metrics; decumulation and end outcomes; communications and engagement are all discussed in this V-FM special.

In this episode Darren and Nico chat all things DC pensions and value for money with Mercer's Brian Henderson. Who would have known that Brian did a PhD on lasers and would bring a story to the podcast that prompted a reference to Back to the Future and Flux Capacitors. Listen to hear all.

In this episode Nico and Darren speak to Hymans Robertson's Rona Train about what value for money in pensions means to her. As always, a lot of ground is covered starting with how Australian wine producers are adapting to climate change. Rona also talks about the importance of focusing on member outcomes, not just cost and, in particular, increasing contributions. Another great episode! Enjoy!

In this episode of V-FM: Pensions, Darren and Nico talk to Pension Bee's Romi Savova about why she founded Pension Bee, her views on the DWP's value for money consultation and the importance of good customer service in delivering better member outcomes.

In this episode of VFM Pensions, Darren and Nico chat to the Financial Times' global pensions correspondent, the one and only, Jo Cumbo. They talk about kangaroos, Jo surviving the outback, productive finance and, of course, value for money.  We also ask Jo about the piece of journalism she is most proud about - another must listen episode!

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to Jenny Segal about purpose and hybrid working, her new book that has just been published and, of course, what value for money means to her.

In this episode Darren and Nico chat to Scottish Widows' Robert Cochran about what value for money means to him, the importance of engagement and communications, and his time on the Pensions Bus.

In this episode Darren and Nico respond to the DWP's value for money consultation. This episode was submitted to DWP on Monday 27th March 2023 as part of its formal consultation process (we also sent a transcript).

In this episode of VFM: The Pensions Podcast, Nico and Darren chat to Northern Trust's Mark Austin about custody platforms, value for money and designer belts. Enjoy!

In this episode Darren and Nico chat with the renowned climate scientist, author and founder of Small Word Consulting, Mike Berners-Lee. A fascinating chat that kept coming back to the poly-crisis and the existential threats facing our planet. This is an episode you really don't want to miss!

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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?

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.

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).

Nico and Darren talk to David Butcher, independent trustee, about his story, value for money and the role that mindfulness plays in David's life from both a personal perspective, but also in terms of how it leads to better outcomes and decision-making.

When two pension geeks have an idea (developed over a few pints) to start a Podcast on value for money in pensions: V-FM. In this Pilot Episode Nico Aspinall and Darren Philp chat about value for money and why they have set up this weekly show. Next week Darren and Nico will be joined by our first guest, David Butcher, Trustee of the Scottish Widows' and People's Pension Mastertrusts.