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Volatility, value, and venture: Top stories from the Pensions UK Investment Conference
Pensions Expert picks the top stories from a busy week, from the pensions minister’s latest update on mandation, to how the biggest schemes are tackling volatility and uncertainty.
Nest pledges action against corporate climate plan rollbacks
The master trust will vote against board chairs if companies “materially” scale back climate strategies, as part of a new approach to stewardship.
Government bodies advocate ‘significant’ opportunity in venture capital
Senior representatives from the Office for Investment, the British Business Bank, and the National Wealth Fund sought to flesh out the investment narrative and explain why pension funds should be confident about investing in UK private markets.
Is ESG investing in the best interests of pension scheme members? [Updated]
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas and ex-cabinet minister Michael Gove debated climate change investing and fiduciary duty in a session at the Pensions UK Investment Conference.
‘Mess with fiduciary duty at your peril’: USS chief welcomes government approach
The government is taking the right approach to fiduciary duty in planning guidance rather than legislating, according to the chief executive of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).
Government to limit scope of mandation clause, pensions minister says
Torsten Bell says the Pension Schemes Bill will be amended to ensure that the mandation clause only relates to the Mansion House Accord and cannot be used for other purposes.
How the UK’s largest pension schemes have navigated recent volatility
Investment bosses from Border to Coast, People’s Pension and Railpen outline how their governance structures have helped them navigate market turbulence in recent months
Private markets latest
Government bodies advocate ‘significant’ opportunity in venture capital
Senior representatives from the Office for Investment, the British Business Bank, and the National Wealth Fund sought to flesh out the investment narrative and explain why pension funds should be confident about investing in UK private markets.
Scottish Widows buys into private markets through new master trust strategies
The master trust provider has launched two new investment portfolios with exposure to private markets through bespoke long-term asset funds.
LGPS Central hires Dowdall to lead local investment drive
LGPS Central, one of the asset pooling companies for the Local Government Pension Scheme, has named Paddy Dowdall as investment director for local investment.
Global investment outlook: Navigating a complex landscape
Pensions Expert asked consultants and asset managers for their views on the continued dominance of US equities in investment portfolios, how to mitigate geopolitical risks, and whether private markets have been overdone.
ESG and sustainability
Nest pledges action against corporate climate plan rollbacks
The master trust will vote against board chairs if companies “materially” scale back climate strategies, as part of a new approach to stewardship.
Is ESG investing in the best interests of pension scheme members? [Updated]
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas and ex-cabinet minister Michael Gove debated climate change investing and fiduciary duty in a session at the Pensions UK Investment Conference.
Nest launches tender for segregated ethical equity mandate
Nest’s Ethical Fund currently has £260m invested in ethical equities, as the master trust launches a search for a bespoke segregated mandate manager.
Climate change and fiduciary duty: how can trustees plan for an uncertain future?
What will be the financial impact of global temperature increases? Predicting the future is uncertain, but it doesn’t mean pension schemes can afford to put it off until later, writes Authently’s David Kneale.
The Friday Takeaway: Fiduciary duty calls
A worrying new climate change report should have the whole pensions sector thinking hard about their long-term strategies and what is in members’ and savers’ best interests, writes Pensions Expert editor Nick Reeve.
Climate change economic impact underestimated, IFoA report warns
A new report from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and the University of Exeter has painted a stark picture of the significant negative impact of climate change on the global economy.
Consultants news
First Actuarial acquires employee benefits client book from EBP
First Actuarial has acquired a book of almost 70 employee benefit clients from a small employee benefits adviser after two of its three directors decided to retire and dissolve their partnership.
Independent Governance Group buys KGC to boost governance services
The professional trustee and services firm has acquired governance consulting specialist KGC Associates, led by managing director Kim Gubler.
Isio appoints former Vidett co-CEO as part of boost to senior team
The hires of Naomi L’Estrange and Gareth Roberts to senior positions highlight the company’s growth ambitions following last year’s strategic investment by private equity firm Aquiline.