Professional trustees bringing increased diversity to trustee boards
Professional trustees are bringing increased diversity to pension trustee boards because younger people are opting for careers in the role, according to Vidett client director, Clare Routledge. Speaking during a panel session on defined benefit (DB) trusteeship at the Pensions UK Investment Conference 2026 in Edinburgh, Tuesday 10 March, she argued that the professional model […]
Run‑on for a small DB scheme: a case study
Why run on is on the agenda Many defined benefit (DB) pension schemes now have the financial capacity to insure benefits, yet trustees and sponsors are increasingly questioning whether an immediate buy-out is the right outcome. Strong funding positions, evolving insurer pricing and sponsor objectives mean that, for some schemes, continuing to run the scheme […]
Applying the trustee lens to the CDC consultation
As a professional trustee company with collective defined contribution (CDC) appointments, we’re supportive of The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) efforts to introduce a single robust framework that ensures CDC schemes operate transparently, fairly and with appropriate safeguards for all stakeholders. With the numerous stakeholders involved, ranging from sponsoring employers, advisers and trustees to (most importantly) members […]
The inclusion gap undermining financial wellbeing strategies
Employers act as major levers in helping to improve financial wellbeing and financial inclusion in the workforce, according to the government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy. The strategy states financial inclusion is how people can make their money work well for them, become more self-reliant, which in turn enhances physical and mental wellbeing, focusing on: digital inclusion and […]
Shaping Tomorrow / Parents in pensions: sharing parental leave
In this month’s Shaping Tomorrow, Clare Routledge sits down with Ellie Dobson (Isio), David Alward (Lane Clark & Peacock) and Laura Fenton‑Williams (Vidett) as they talk openly about taking shared parental leave, what they gained from it and how the experience is changing for parents across the pensions industry. With parental leave no longer assumed to […]
What separates effective trustee boards from the rest? Applying Strengthscope’s workplace research to the realities of trustee governance
Collectively, pension trustee boards oversee assets of around £1.5 trillion, and the governance expectations around these funds is only rising as regulation becomes more complex. This is reflected in the Government’s recent consultation paper, ‘Trust-based pension schemes: Trustees and governance, building a stronger future’, which aims to strengthen governance standards and ensure trustee boards are […]
From buy-in to buy-out: why clearing hurdles early is essential
A buy-in is a significant milestone in a pension scheme’s journey for trustees, sponsors, and advisers. However, moving from buy-in to buy-out can be long and complex, involving multiple concurrent projects and for this reason, many stall. Professional trustees must ensure projects run to time and cost and, if not, be ready to have difficult […]
An introduction to healthcare trusts
What are healthcare trusts, and why they are used? Many employers offer healthcare benefits to their employees (and often their dependants), to: support health and wellbeing; reduce absenteeism and therefore increase productivity; make up part of a competitive benefits package. The employer may buy insurance, to manage the variability of cost, and protect against high […]
Shaping Tomorrow: healthcare trusts explained
In our latest Shaping Tomorrow, host Clare Routledge welcomes Jeremy Hill (Client Director and Healthcare Lead, Vidett) and Kevin Gude (Consultant Solicitor, Keystone Law) to the show, ready to share their expertise in employee benefits and group risk. Tune in as we dive into the world of healthcare trusts; exploring their growing presence, as our […]
Vidett announce 14 internal promotions
We’re kicking off the new year on a high note, as 14 of our team step into newly promoted roles effective 1 January 2026. Congratulations to all the following: Alison Hatcher,Chief Client Officer Suzi Lowther, Chief Marketing Officer Ben Salmons, Client Director Rachel Marston, Associate Director Davinder Sira,Manager Emma Anderson, Manager Lisa Sweeney, Manager Malvina Price, Manager Sabrena Edmonds-Koydemir, Manager Tom […]
How to make your own risk assessment as efficient as possible
With less than 3 months until the first scheme Own Risk Assessment (ORA) deadlines are upon us, we’ve been working with a variety of schemes during the past few months to ensure that the trustees can prepare their compliance statement with confidence.Here are a few of our top tips for ensuring you make the assessment […]
2026 pensions – what’s in store?
From the changing skills trustees of the future will need to managing transition and change, 2026 will be another big year for the pensions industry. But what should trustees, employers and pension scheme members be looking out for? We spoke to some of our experts to find out what’s big on their list for the […]
Vidett’s key themes for 2026
What is it about a new year that’s so exciting? For the first time, as we head into 2026, I asked AI – and that, perhaps, in itself demonstrates how rapidly our world is changing. So here at Vidett, we’re embracing the ‘fresh start effect’ and channelling our ‘collective energy’ to share with you our key themes for 2026. Our key themes reflect the principal areas where we make a difference for our clients, whether it’s helping […]
Celebrating charity: the gift of giving back
In our latest episode of Shaping Tomorrow, host Clare Routledge has assembled a panel ready to talk all things charity. Tune in as Clare explores the history of our charity committee, including how it came together, and the people and organisations it’s gone on to support since. Joining Clare in discussion are: Kate BaretteCharity Committee […]
Sustainability in pensions: our perspective
How do you see sustainability in pensions developing? Sit down with Sarah, Wayne and Duncan as they discuss what it means for Vidett and the actions we’re taking now and in the future. In the video they explore what The Pensions Regulator expects from schemes and trustee boards on sustainability, the opportunities and challenges they’ve […]
Congratulations to Becky Wood and Ben Salmons
It was a double celebration for Vidett this week, as Professional Pensions named two of our team winners at one of the pension industry’s most prestigious evenings! Becky Wood was named the Women in Pensions ‘Trustee of the Year’ after accolades including leading our Endgame Solutions team and helping set up the Endgame Perspectives Group, […]
COP30: How does it apply to pension schemes?
As global leaders gather in Brazil for COP30, the urgency of climate action is once again in the spotlight. Here, pension schemes have a powerful opportunity to drive real-world change. With trillions of pounds under management, UK pension funds are uniquely positioned to influence the transition to a sustainable economy; through the assets they hold, […]
The generation game: ethical investing for Gen-Z
It’s COP30 week, so in our eighth installment of Shaping Tomorrow, host Clare Routledge leads a compelling conversation with our panel of experts; exploring sustainability and the younger generation’s views on their pensions, investments and whether they match their values. Joining Clare in discussion, are: Sam SwinerdMarketing & Communications, Vidett Archie PritchettOperations Analyst, PensionsPay Joe […]
The importance of programme management in delivering endgame
Client Director Shaun Kilcoyne joins Laura McMillan from Hymans Robertson to discuss why effective programme management is essential for pension schemes navigating endgame strategies. Watch below, as they delve into how rising defined benefit (DB) funding levels and growing project complexity have made strategic foresight and strong governance more critical than ever. Their conversation underscores the […]
How will the Pension Schemes Bill impact savers?
Increasingly, savers are encouraged to consider their pension benefits as part of their overall financial wellbeing and encouraged to invest and save more for retirement. But as the Pensions Schemes Bill makes its way through the House of Commons, what impact will it have? Automatic consolidation of small pensions Since auto-enrolment was introduced in 2012, […]
Vidett Midlands move to new Birmingham office
We’re excited to confirm our Vidett Midlands team have moved to our new office at Five St Philips, Birmingham B3 2PW. Set in the heart of the prestigious Colmore Row district and overlooking Cathedral Square, our new Birmingham base is easily accessible and just a few minutes walk from Snow Hill train station. Pastures new […]
Building better boards: the power of positive psychology
In episode seven of our ‘Shaping Tomorrow’ podcast, our host Clare Routledge orchestrates our latest expert panel on the importance of board effectiveness (BE), and how psychology can be used to help enhance your BE reviews. Joining Clare in discussion are: Alison HatcherHead of Trusteeship, Vidett Nicole Johannessen Associate Director and Board Effectiveness Lead, Vidett Scott […]
Is your ESOG now in place?
As trustees with limited time and competing priorities, it could be easy to leave your Own Risk Assessment (ORA) until it falls due and then have to complete all the work at once. But doing so would create plenty to do and potentially leave problems that can’t be fixed in time for the first ORA. […]
Navigating the future of DC governance – Insights from Governance Matters
I was delighted to present the final session at Vidett’s Governance Matters conference, hosted in partnership with Sackers, where we explored the evolving landscape of Defined Contribution (DC) pensions and what these changes mean for employers. The discussion focused on the Pensions Bill, governance standards, and consolidation and why it is so important, with so […]
F2 Chemicals secure £8m buy-in
As Trustee to F2 Chemicals Limited, we’re delighted to have successfully guided their scheme into an £8m buy-in, with the completion helping secure the benefits of all its scheme members. Acting as the Chair of the Trustees for the scheme, Mark Johnston was thrilled with the outcome: “Working with F2 Chemicals, we are delighted to […]
Why good governance is more than a tick-box exercise
At our recent Governance Matters roundtable, hosted in partnership with Sackers, we discussed what good governance truly means for trustee boards today. Too often, governance is viewed as just another compliance hurdle. But we believe it’s so much more. When approached thoughtfully, good governance helps schemes make better decisions, manage risks effectively, and, most importantly, […]
Micro schemes in maximum focus
At our Endgame Solutions Conference earlier this summer, one of the most insightful sessions turned the spotlight onto a part of the market often left in the shadows: micro schemes. I was pleased to chair the discussion and was joined by a panel of expert colleagues from across the industry, including Adam Davis (K3/Isio), Alma […]
Answering questions for World Alzheimer’s Day
Vidett’s chosen charity for the year is the Alzheimer’s Society. So, this World Alzheimer’s Day (21st September) we’re supporting the theme: ‘Ask about Dementia. Ask about Alzheimer’s’ to encourage people to talk about the disease. This will help reduce misunderstandings and the stigma attached to the disease. With that in mind I have a […]
Thinking about EDI as part of board effectiveness
National inclusion week is a great opportunity for pension managers and trustees to remind themselves that The Pensions Regulator (TPR) expects pension schemes to demonstrate best practice around equality (we prefer the use of equity), diversity and inclusion (EDI). But why is EDI important, and how could a board effectiveness review make sure EDI best […]
Planning better journeys for buy-ins and buy-outs
Drawing on practical experience from real transactions, let’s take a look at the common pitfalls and key success factors that schemes must consider to deliver smooth, timely, and member-focused insurance transactions in the current market. Ready, set, go! At Vidett’s recent Endgame Solutions Conference at Silverstone, our third session, ‘Beyond Blame – Building Better Outcomes’, […]