Latest articles from Sarah Cowburn

Scapa reduces liabilities by £4m via mortality study

Adhesive tape manufacturer Scapa has reduced its defined benefit liability by £4m, having undertaken a mortality study across its pensioner population as part of a holistic approach to managing risk across the scheme’s assets and long-term obligations.

The push-me-pull-you: In which direction is UK retirement saving headed?

Push-me-pull-you

Analysis: The introduction of a workplace Isa, mooted in a new proposal this week, could present both the UK workforce and employers with a radical new alternative, but how can developments in government policy drive the sea change needed in the UK’s savings culture?

How alignment of interests can improve member outcomes

Real change in the investment industry is needed to drive alignment of interests along the value chain, delegates at the CFA Professionalism Conference heard, as panellists criticised the current state of communication between fund managers and asset owners.

Welsh LGPS funds lead the pack on pooling with passive manager appointment

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Welsh Local Government Pension Scheme funds have announced the appointment of BlackRock to a £2.8bn passive mandate, following a joint procurement exercise.  

Aldermore ups matching in employee retention drive

Aldermore ups matching in employee retention drive

Retail banking group Aldermore has improved its matching contribution offering as part of a wider overhaul of employee benefits aimed at improving employee retention.

Carr’s Group ploughs into surplus

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Carr’s Group has reeled in its scheme deficit after years of steep cash contributions and restructured the scheme’s matching portfolio to shore up funding on the road to buyout.

Eiopa opts for standardised risk framework

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The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority has advocated the creation of a standardised framework for risk assessment and transparency in EU pension funds, quashing long-running fears of a shift to more stringent solvency funding requirements.

Union seeks parliamentary debate on LGPS pooling

A parliamentary petition launched by public sector trade union Unison, seeking debate on the pooling of Local Government Pension Scheme assets, has attracted nearly 30,000 signatures and could spell delays to progress in the pooling project.

ITV absorbs Wireless Group DB scheme

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Broadcasting company Wireless Group has signed over its defined benefit pension obligations to broadcaster ITV, under the terms of sale of its television entities to the media giant, showing that defined benefit schemes do not have to be left behind in mergers and acquisitions.

Hubbub probes ESG ahead of provider appointment

A small charity is prioritising environmental, social and governance factors in the selection of its workplace pension provider, making use of recent analysis that ranks the UK’s nine largest providers according to their responsible investment practices.