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 […]
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 […]
Breaking down barriers: making communications inclusive
We’re now up to episode six of our ‘Shaping Tomorrow’ podcast, with this month’s released during National Inclusion Week. Tune in as host Clare Routledge quizzes our expert panel on financial inclusion, communications around financial information, how they’re received by members and what we can do to make them better and easier to understand. Joining […]
A glimpse into the future of UK pensions
Alison Hatcher caught up with Asset TV, as she outlined the shift towards a market of “mega schemes” and the resulting governance challenges. Check out the interview below, where she argues for a new, collaborative mindset within the industry and a focus on acquiring the right skills for trustees to manage this transition and deliver […]
Mike Birch appointed to Scottish Widows Master Trust
Scottish Widows have announced that Mike Birch has joined its Master Trust as a trustee. Mike joins their trustee board that includes Jonathan Reynolds (chair), Joanne Fairbairn, Cheryl Black and Gerald Wellesley. On his appointment, Mike was delighted with the news: “Scottish Widows Master Trust is on an ambitious growth trajectory, so it’s a great […]
Death and pensions: easing the process after passing
In the latest episode of our ‘Shaping Tomorrow’ podcast, this month host Clare Routledge welcomes Alison Coulson to part one of the show, ready to discuss an area close to her heart. Alison’s husband Neil sadly passed in March last year, so she reflects on the positives, challenges and areas that need improvement from her […]
Decumulation and the role of pension schemes in supporting members with planning
In today’s ageing society, retirement planning and the way pension schemes and government support savers with it, encompasses more than just saving money. Two in five people now have a mortgage past the state pension age. Around 8.4 million people live alone in the UK which makes up a staggering 30% of all households (based […]
My fond farewell
It’s been a great ride for me at Vidett during almost 10 years at the firm. We were originally known as HR Trustees, when I joined the company straight from a career in banking. Back then I was still a trustee of the Bank of New York Hybrid Pension Plan, where I had served for […]
Alison Hatcher joins Vidett as Head of Trusteeship
We’re excited to announce Alison Hatcher has joined us as our new Head of Trusteeship from The Pensions Regulator in May 2025. As an accredited professional trustee and former NED of the PLSA, Alison is known for her passion to drive value for members and challenge the status quo to drive effective change. She has […]
Mark Cliff joins PLSA West Midlands Group line-up
Client Director Mark Cliff joined as a guest speaker at the PLSA West Midlands Group’s in-person event on Thursday 3rd April from 3.30pm – 5.00pm. Taking place in Gowling WLG’s office at Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6WR, the event kicked off with a panel discussion looking at Clara Pensions’ first transactions, with speakers: There was […]
My action-packed week in higher education
This week it’s been all go here at Vidett, where we could be found paying special attention towards the higher education (HE) sector. It’s an area where we have several experts in the field, including myself, our HE lead Mandy Kaur-Sadler, Mike Birch, Rich Ingham and Geoff Winn. It was a particularly busy week for […]
Administrator performance reviews
It’s a trustee’s responsibility to ensure that their pension schemes are run as effectively as possible to help achieve the best outcomes for members. Download our case study to find out how we turned an uncertain situation into a positive outcome.
Careers in pensions: the old and new
When we started our careers in pensions in the 80s and 90s, the landscape was vastly different. Back then central Edinburgh and Glasgow were crammed with Scottish banks and insurance companies; so it was a bit of a no-brainer to start work in that sector. Although there has been huge consolidation in the financial services […]
The great DB debate
Despite the decision to join a master trust sitting with a pension scheme’s sponsor, the trustee’s view remains important. Pension scheme journeys are a partnership between sponsors and trustees; both wanting the best outcomes for scheme members. As responsible trustees, we need to consider which schemes the master trust approach might be right for and […]
Vidett to speak at BUFDG Finance Festival
Client director Mandy Kaur-Sadler and associate director Phil Williams have been invited to be guest speakers at the British Universities Financial Directors Group’s (BUFDG) prestigious Finance Festival on 10 March 2025. With the implementation of new funding and governance regulations, alongside significant changes in pension scheme funding levels following the 2022 ‘mini-budget fallout,’ the UK […]
Mark Cliff appointed chair of FMT
Mark Cliff – a Vidett client director – will join joining Fidelity Master Trust (FMT) board in January 2025. Taking over the FMT responsibilities from the departing Kim Nash in April 2025, Mark will bring his focus on large complex defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) pension schemes. He joins FMT from Legal & […]
Life assurance trustee services: try our test case
Dealing with a death in service case can be a very challenging time. When emotions are heightened by the death of an employee, handling the administration of their life assurance benefits can create unwanted stress. Many employers will default to looking at the employee’s Expression of Wish form. But is it always obvious who should […]
REBA Pensions Summit 2024
Client directors Caroline Eastwood and Aimee Denham were recently on the line-up for the Reward & Employee Benefits Association (REBA)’s Future of Pensions Summit; running their workshop on ‘New thinking for DC – using governance to drive value & engagement’. Commenting on the London event, Caroline said: “Engagement remains the biggest challenge for schemes of […]
Beyond traditional buy-outs: viewing alternatives through different lenses
Endgame continues to be one of the hottest topics in the pensions industry, with the conversation expanding beyond traditional buy-outs to a range of alternative solutions, such as the establishment of a public consolidator and a heightened focus on schemes running on indefinitely. We recently hosted our Endgame Solutions Conference, bringing together over 250 professionals […]
University of Manchester name Mandy Kaur-Sadler as new chair of trustees
We are thrilled to see client director Mandy Kaur-Sadler has been confirmed as the new chair of the University of Manchester’s trustee board, following the retirement of her predecessor Jon Ferns. Mandy was both delighted and privileged to take on this role; thanking Jon for all his hard work and dedication in the role previously. […]
DC pension oversight with a governance committee
Client directors, Claire Barnes and Caroline Eastwood recently combined forces in their article for Governance and Compliance Magazine. The piece looks at the importance of pension governance committees, and how they can help enhance member outcomes, with a real-life case study helping bring the theory to life. Reflecting on the piece, Caroline commented: “Having established […]
The PLSA West Midlands Group
Trustee director Aimee Denham will be joining the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) for their in-person West Midlands Group event in Birmingham. Taking place on Thursday 1st February from 10am, the event will be tackling various defined contribution topics including CDC. Joining Aimee on guest speaker duties, will be: On joining the event, Aimee said: “I’m […]
Net Zero Investor’s Defined Contribution Forum
Gerald Wellesley, our client director here at Vidett, will be joining Net Zero Investor and their guest list of speakers for their defined contribution forum taking place in London at the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday 31st January. The session entitled ‘What role will LTAFs play in a net zero transition for DC?’ will see […]
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 […]
Asset TV’s Private Markets Panel
Asset TV invited trustee director Martin Collins to join their Private Markets livestream, as part of their Pension Fund Forum series. Martin was joined on the panel by fellow experts: Raman Rajagopal (senior client portfolio manager, Invesco Private Credit); Lok Ma (trustee director, Law Debenture); and Tricia Ward (research team manager, Redington) to discuss various […]
REBA Future of Pensions Summit
Client Directors Claire Barnes and Caroline Eastwood will be guest speakers at the forthcoming REBA Future of Pensions Summit. Taking place on Thursday 21st September at the Royal Society of Arts in London, the day will explore how workforce transformation, HR pressures and employee expectations are all driving the future of defined contribution (DC) pensions […]
What do trustees need to know about the ‘Mansion House Reforms’?
The recent ‘Mansion House’ speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, introduced a series of reforms aimed at empowering the financial services sector to improve pension and investment returns for people in the UK. These changes also aim to increase the supply of investment capital to support the growth of high-potential businesses across […]
DC section transfer to master trust – RSPCA Pension Scheme
As Chair of the Trustee we were involved with the selection of the master trust. As secretary to the trustee, we helped manage the transition of the DC section to the master trust and its subsequent wind up.
Is your DC pension default fund meeting employee needs?
Default funds are the investment ‘vehicle’ a member’s contributions (both their own and their employer’s) will be paid into automatically if the member hasn’t made their own choice of fund. With most DC pension members invested in the default, Suzi Lowther highlights 6 key questions trustees and governance committees should ask to ensure their default […]