Vidett in the industry
The Vidett team feature regularly in the media, including industry articles, debate and events. Check out our most recent contributions, ranking from most recent, to earliest.
Buy-in to buy-out and member experience
24 September 2026
David Griffiths joined Professional Pensions’ roundtable to discuss what best-in-class service looks like, the balance between digital and telephone channels and the support that is available for vulnerable members.
Schemes rethink resourcing as governance and capacity pressures rise
20 August 2026
Nicci Wyborn says outsourced pensions management and agile resourcing are increasingly being used as strategic tools.
The CDC Report 2026
23 July 2026
Interest in Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pension schemes is rising, but confidence will determine the pace of adoption. Azka contributes to Gallagher’s new CDC Report; exploring the factors shaping adoption and what employers and trustees should be considering as the market evolves.
Pawns no more
22 July 2026
Recent changes in the Pension Regulator’s approach mean trustees need to up their governance and admin game. Jess Rigby explores.
Virgin Media – what now for pension schemes?
16 July 2026
The retrospective certification regime introduced in response to the Virgin Media ruling will help many pension schemes resolve historic benefit amendment issues, but will not provide a universal solution, the Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has warned.
Unnamed UK pension scheme secures £24m buy-in with Aviva
14 July 2026
An unnamed UK pension scheme has completed a £24m full-scheme buy-in with Aviva, securing the benefits of 240 scheme members. Chris and Alison Pearson comment.
Stantec UK pension scheme secures full-scheme buy-in with Aviva
13 July 2026
The Stantec Pension Plan (UK Section) has completed a full-scheme buy-in with Aviva for an undisclosed amount, securing the benefits of the remaining 629 deferred and 51 pensioner members of the scheme.
International influence
10 July 2026
This article explores which countries influence the UK pensions system, what lessons can be adopted, and where regulatory and cultural differences limit direct comparison. Head over to page 59, where Alison also contributes.
Credit and LDI in the DB endgame
02 July 2026
Duncan joined Professional Pensions’ panel of experts to look at the role of credit and liability-driven investment (LDI) in the defined benefit (DB) endgame.
Vidett joins Trustee Accelerator Programme as initiative goes from strength to strength
01 July 2026
We’re delighted to have joined the PMI’s Trustee Accelerator Programme (TAP) as a supporter – strengthening the programme’s mission to develop trustee-ready talent and broaden diversity across the pensions industry.
From sewage to solvency: Lessons on covenant from a challenged water sector
15 June 2026
Mike Birch analyses developments in the water sector and what they mean for trustees of schemes attached to water companies, with regulatory and political shifts potentially affecting covenant strength.
Pre-97 indexation reform set to push T&N Pension Scheme into PPF
11 June 2026
The Turner & Newall (T&N) Retirement Benefits Scheme (1989) is expected to enter the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) after spending 20 years in assessment, due to upcoming changes to the lifeboat fund’s indexation rules.
Why CDC is the gamechanger that women's pensions have been waiting for
05 June 2026
In the latest instalment of Alison Hatcher’s Trustee Voice series, she speaks to Zedra Governance managing director Kim Nash about how collective defined contribution (CDC) schemes may help bridge the gender pay gap.
Hartwells pension scheme completes £160m buy-in with Just
03 June 2026
Kevin Kenneally helped The Hartwells Pension Plan (1971) complete a £160m full-scheme buy-in with Just Group, securing the benefits of 1,689 pensioners and 672 deferred members.
Underwriter insures DB scheme with Canada Life in £36m deal
27 May 2026
Canada Life has insured a defined benefit (DB) pension scheme sponsored by a specialist underwriting firm in a deal worth £36m. Ben Salmons comments on our involvement.
Utmost Life and Pensions completes the buy-out of the PJH Group Pension Scheme
21 May 2026
Utmost Life and Pensions completes the buyout of the PJH Group Pension Scheme. On behalf of the Trustees, Chris Halewood reflects.
Rethinking trustee oversight
12 May 2026
As schemes consolidate and governance demands increase, Pensions Age investigates industry opinions on the idea of a central trustee register, and how it could operate in practice, from scope and design to potential unintended consequences. See page 54 onwards.
Call for action on member representation as MNT numbers fall by a third
29 April 2026
Sole trustee arrangements are on the rise as member-nominated trustees are declining, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. Julia contributes.
From consolidation to megafunds: The £1trn evolution
22 April 2026
In the latest instalment of Alison Hatcher’s Trustee Voice series, she explores the monumental shift occurring in the UK defined contribution (DC) landscape. Drawing on insights from Aviva Master Trust chair Chris Noon she discusses how the transition to megafunds will redefine the role of the trustee over the next decade.
Strong but uneven: The limited state of pension stewardship in 2026
13 April 2026
Pension stewardship may be in a good place, but controversial amendments to the Stewardship Code and inconsistent approaches mean much still needs to be tackled. See page 38 onwards.
Lay trustees remain important as sector consolidates, government says
13 March 2026
Lay trustees have an important role to play in governance and structures as pension schemes merge and scale up, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Clare shares her thoughts.
CDC not expected to become 'mainstream offering' within the next three years
24 March 2026
Two-thirds (67 per cent) of pension professionals do not believe that collective defined contribution (CDC) will be a mainstream workplace pension offering within the next three years, according to a survey of delegates at TPT’s recent Pensions Pathways conference. Alison responds in this piece from Pensions Age.
Professional Trusteeship – A rewarding career making a real difference
18 March 2026
National Careers Week took place this month, so a handful of the team helped highlight what the exciting and impactful world of professional trusteeship meant to them.
Vidett help XPS Xchange complete its largest private credit secondary purchase
11 March 2026
Jim Robson reflects on the recent announcement for this £50m scheme.
Mouchel Business Services scheme agrees £9.5m buy-in
25 February 2026
The Money Purchase Section of the Mouchel Business Services Limited Pension Scheme has completed a £9.5m buy-in with Just Group.
Vidett help Bodycote UK Pension Scheme secure £60m buy-in
25 February 2026
The transaction with Mark, Alison Pearson and Lisa Sweeney encapsulates how truly effective our Endgame Solutions specialists can help make the right solution for our clients happen.
Work/life balance
06 February 2026
Head over to page 30, as Geoff Winn talks about his career in pensions, his koi carp pond and a typical week in his life.
Juggling duty and risk
06 February 2026
This article explores the struggle trustees face when drawing the line between their core fiduciary responsibility and wider issues, such as climate risk and intergenerational fairness, when it comes to investing members’ money. Kevin Dolan, Duncan Willsher and Alison Hatcher contribute from page 42 onwards.
2026 set to be 'significant' for pensions
19 January 2026
Schemes must plan effectively, with endgame planning, DC consolidation and dashboards set to keep the industry very busy.
Two steps forward, one step back
13 January 2026
From reflections on the Budget, to considerations for future scheme design, Geoff Winn joins a panel of experts to discuss the world of DC and master trust, both now and into the future. Head over to page 68 for the full read.
The weight on trustees
13 January 2026
Current and future regulatory activity and the new Pension Schemes Bill all focus on the need to keep improving standards of DB scheme trusteeship and governance. Claire contributes to Pensions Age’s piece in their Trustee Guide 2026.
Talking Healthcare with Asset TV
19 December 2025
Why are savvy employers shifting from traditional insurance to health trusts? Jeremy discusses the value of health trusts for employers and the role independent trustees can play in support of the health and productivity of employees.
Private credit: Opening up new opportunities
05 December 2025
Martin joined the Pensions Age roundtable to discuss the role of private credit in today’s pensions landscape; exploring the emerging opportunities in alternative credit. Find the write up on page 46 onwards.
What skills do we most value in a trustee today?
14 November 2025
Ben Salmons asks if younger career trustees may help widen the skill and diversity mix.
The de-risking landscape - an evolving world
07 November 2025
Becky joined Pensions Age’s panel of experts to explore the exciting trends evolving in the dynamic pensions de-risking space. Head over to page 77 for the full write-up.
TPT names trustee trio to collective DC scheme board
29 October 2025
Zedra’s Kim Nash will chair the CDC scheme’s trustee board, alongside Alison Hatcher and Falcon Trustees’ Venetia Trayhurn, with the trio set to oversee the scheme’s authorisation process next year.
Adequacy is the challenge of our time - but what can be done?
22 October 2025
Ben Salmons and Mike Birch respond to the regulator’s recent missive on adequacy and decumulation, arguing that the two must be considered separately for reforms to truly be effective.
Four professional trustee firms responsible for £800bn of UK pension assets
22 September 2025
Alison reflects on a recent LCP report showing that while AUM by professional trustees is still concentrated, appointment volume is more widely spread.
Pensions Age Northern Conference highlights
18 July 2025
This year’s Pensions Age Northern Conference gathered influential voices from across the pensions landscape, including top industry speakers, association leaders, trustees and advisers for a thought provoking day of fresh insight and key information relevant to all those working in the UK pensions sector now and into the future. Please see page 32 onwards.
From PGL to pensions
18 July 2025
Vidett Client Director, Clare Routledge, talks about her career, from teaching children to ride ponies, to her passion for presenting a pensions podcast. Head over to page 48 for the full read.
DC scheme moves more deferreds to master trust
01 July 2025
With Credit Suisse’s (UK) Pension Fund moving a tranche of deferred members in its £1.1bn defined contribution section to the Fidelity Master Trust; in this piece from Mallowstreet, Kelly reflects on the drivers for DC consolidation.
A moving target
10 June 2025
In this piece from Callum Conway, Client Director Julia Yates contributes to the article that ask how the role of trustees is changing and what this might mean for pension schemes. Head over to page 46 for the full read.
Investing for surplus extraction and run-on
27 May 2025
Mike Birch joined Professional Pensions’ panel of experts to discuss the issue of run-on; looking at the extent to which schemes are considering run-on and the type of run-on they were considering. What could run-on mean for investment strategy going forward and the potential role in such strategies of productive assets?
Consultants and trustees voice concerns about Mansion House Accord
13 May 2025
Consultants and trustees urge caution over increasing pension investment in UK private markets, warning that long-term member outcomes must not be compromised in the rush to meet government growth targets.
The General Code, TPR, and the great data challenge
11 February 2025
With The Pensions Regulator recently communicating to pension schemes the critical need for trustees to monitor and improve their scheme data, Vidett client director Simon Lewis explores the requirements and challenges that await.
How are pensions dealing with vulnerable members?
21 March 2025
Following the Financial Conduct Authority’s report that showed 47% of UK adults showed characteristics of vulnerability, Sarah Booth contributes to Professional Pensions piece looking at how UK pension schemes, administrators and regulators are tackling the issue of vulnerable members.
The member experience implications of a buy-out
22 January 2025
Professional Pensions assembled a panel of experts to look at the key issue of whether trustees and sponsors are getting the customer service they need from bulk annuity providers. Topics covered the member experience implications of purchasing a bulk annuity, from the initial buy-in stage through to buy-out.
Expectations of chair
16 December 2024
With The Pension Regulator’s updated defined benefit funding code enforced as of 12 November 2024, DB scheme trustees now have to have a chair in place. Client director Gillian Graham outlines the expectations and importance of the role of chair.
Talking smaller DB schemes
25 November 2024
Client director Kevin Clark joined Professional Pensions roundtable on smaller defined benefit (DB) schemes, as they focussed on assessing the choices they have in areas such as governance, endgame and investment. The session looked to understand the specific challenges and opportunities these DB schemes have when looking to de-risk and move towards endgame.
Murky Waters
18 october 2024
With the recent financial strains faced by Thames Water; questions surround the future of the wider UK water industry. Client director Mike Birch discusses the challenging situation facing pension scheme trustees at the UK’s water companies.
The role of UK real estate in DC pensions
9 September 2024
Earlier this year, client director Martin Collins joined Professional Pensions for a roundtable looking at the role of real estate in UK defined contribution (DC); asking what schemes need to consider when accessing this asset class.
Risky business
6 September 2024
In this issue of PensionsAge, client director James Duggan had his say in Sophie Smith’s piece on funded reinsurance. With capacity concerns being raised around the BPA market, could it present an opportunity to reduce risk and meet the growing demand from defined benefit schemes?
How mid-sized schemes can get the most out of the bulk annuity market
15 August 2024
James joined Professional Pensions’ panel of experts to discuss the current status of the buyout market for mid-sized schemes – those between £100m and £1bn in size – asking if this segment of schemes is getting everything it needs? Or is in danger of becoming a ‘squeezed middle’ in the market.
Using DB surplus to fund DC
26 June 2024
Clare joined Hymans Robertson to look at using DB surplus to fund DC schemes. Also on the panel were experts from Slaughter and May, and Standard Life, who discussed the legal considerations when transferring surplus from a DB scheme to a DC scheme, the importance of engaging with trustees, and the practical aspects of implementing such a strategy.
Will the election cause market volatility?
13 June 2024
Mallowstreet recently caught up with client director Jamas Chalk for his thoughts on how the market is reacting to the Conservative party’s manifesto, and in particular response to how they said they would cut taxes. Click below for his response on how the markets will see the various policy announcements by the main parties.