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 […]

The future for professional trustees and their schemes

At the end of May, I had the pleasure and privilege to speak at Professional Pensions Live. The discussion centred on the future of trusteeship, a topic that has come up frequently since I joined Vidett. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has set out a vision for the future and I am encouraged by its direction. […]

Netball and Trustee Boards: A Metaphor for Effective Governance 

At first glance, netball and trustee boards may seem worlds apart. One is a fast-paced sport played on courts, while the other operates in boardrooms, strategizing for the success of a scheme. My experience on trustee boards and my love of netball have made me realise the striking parallels between them both: teamwork, strategy, and […]

Vidett and Strengthscope®: avoiding overdrive risks on trustee boards

Harnessing the strengths of individuals is the key to working together and understanding our collective strengths within a team will create more effective trustee boards.   Knowing this, we’ve recently collaborated with Strengthscope®, a company that helps people to better understand their strengths. Strengthscope® goes deeper than the strengths-based approach that is now well known in […]

National Inclusion Week: 8 actionable tips to strengthen pension board equity, diversity and inclusion

Diverse and inclusive boards are essential for effective decision-making, governance and good member outcomes. However, research from Cardano suggests that pension trustee boards are still overwhelmingly white, male and over age 45. While this doesn’t make diversity—or diversity of thought—impossible, it does make achieving it more challenging. Research from Barnett Waddingham highlights that many pension […]

Lessons for improving board diversity

Client director Simon Lewis has recently written an article for Governance + Compliance, looking at the ongoing challenge of improving board diversity in organisations. In the piece he casts the spotlight on the key barriers companies face and how can companies drive change. To read the article in full, please click here. If you’re looking […]

Board effectiveness: the jury’s out

I recently had the privilege of exercising my civil duty by serving on a jury. As someone whose day job is to sit on boards and make decisions, this should have been a walk in the park. Instead, I found it an eye-opening exercise in group dynamics, and an extreme lesson in the art of […]

Have you reviewed your trustee board’s effectiveness? ​

The Pensions Regulator expects every trustee board to carry out periodic reviews. Find out if it’s time for you.​​ Find out more on our webpage here.

Equipping your trustee board to deal with changing circumstances

To look after member benefits, pension trustee boards need to stay on top of changing circumstances and be ready to address unexpected challenges. In this article, Vidett’s Chris Halewood identifies some changes faced by two hypothetical trustee boards and suggests how to deal with them. Boards rely on their trustees to function properly. If a […]

General code series #3 – the governing body: board structure and activities

The ‘governing body’, is a term introduced by the general code (the code) to add to an already broad landscape of roles and responsibilities! The code’s definition is as follows: ‘The governing body is responsible for running a scheme. Governing bodies may be trustees or managers of occupational pension schemes, or, in public service pension […]

Bridging the ethnicity gap in pensions

I’ve worked with a 100 trustee boards — but only three lay trustees that were people of colour. Better representation is needed if the industry is going to address the ethnicity pensions gap. October’s Black History Month served as a timely reminder to reflect on the complex relationship between ethnicity and pensions. While it’s heartening […]

Why diversity is crucial to trustee effectiveness

Our co-chief executive, Naomi L’Estrange will be on the virtual road, as she joins Danny Vassiliades and XPS, for their webinar on the topic of Diversity and Inclusion on Trustee Boards. Taking place on Wednesday 29th November (3pm to 4pm), the panel will be discussing why diversity is important, and how trustee boards can become more inclusive […]

Why we need more young trustees and how to make this happen

I recently watched my colleague Simon Lewis’ trustee diversity and inclusion (D&I) podcast with Hymans Robertson (part of their popular PITStop series). It got me thinking about age diversity, how the pension industry can attract younger pension trustees and whether trustee perceptions need to change. While anyone over 18 can become a trustee, it’s usually a role […]