PODCAST

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

vfmpensions

The podcast from Darren Philp and Nico Aspinall talking all things pensions and investments.

business investing

All Episodes

49:12

#VFM Pensions 110: Nico and Darren discuss the Spring...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/03/28

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico pick up on some of the key topics from the last few episodes. Our one-one 'specials' have often been based around responses to consultations, but, in an evolution of the podcast format, once a month we're going to explore in more depth some of the issues raised on the regular podcast.So tune in and hear about the Spring Statement and the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility; systemic stewardship and fiduciary responsibility, including

01:22:51

VFM Pensions #109: Drumming up support for pensions:...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/03/21

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat to Money Alive co-founder Ian Beestin. Best known for his love of music and drumming - and his Thursday lunchtime drum quizzes during lockdown - Ian is helping to change the face of how pension schemes and providers communicate and engage with people in the digital age.As well as finding out how Ian got into Pensions and discussing what value for money means to him (hint: not Ryan Air...) we chat: AI and innovation in pensions

01:25:31

VFM Pensions #108: Every little helps - Ruston Smith

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/03/14

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren talk to Ruston Smith. Ruston was formerly Director of Pensions at Tesco and now holds several non-exec roles at pension funds, asset managers, private businesses and charities, and is the Chair of the Pensions Management Institute.We, of course, talk about how Ruston got into pensions and what value for money means to him. We also cover many of the big topics affecting the pensions industry and start by talking about International Women's day

01:15:49

VFM Pensions #106: ABI Annual Conference 2025 -...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/02/28

In this week's episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico chat to the ABI's Yvonne Braun and Aviva's Michele Golunska on the fringe of the ABI's 2025 Annual Conference.We spoke to Michele and Yvonne straight after an excellent panel session looking at savings adequacy and longevity, continuing a wide ranging and in depth discussion building on the topics discussed during the panel. We chatted about pensions policy, adequacy, productive finance, pensions dashboards, advice and guidance, technology

01:17:47

VFM Pensions #105: Benefits consulting leader Mark...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/02/21

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Benefits Consulting Leader at Gallagher, Mark Pemberthy.A self confessed 'regular' listener to the podcast, we've been trying to get Mark on to the pod for a little while and it was great to have a chat about all things pensions. As well as the staple topic of value for money, and, of course, finding out about how Mark got into pensions, we have a wide-ranging discussion about the pensions and savings landscape, auto enrolment, small

01:19:30

V-FM Pensions #104: BESTrustee's Alan Pickering

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/02/14

In this episode of V-FM, hosts Darren and Nico chat to trustee extraordinaire and President of BESTrustees Alan Pickering.As well as Alan giving the podcast a scoop about the renaming of Yorkshire, we discuss: the importance of balancing the interaction between regulation, growth and consumer protection; the thorny questions of governance and conflicts of interest in the pensions industry; and Make My Money Matter's annual review of master trusts and climate change. We chat about Alan's amazing

01:23:11

V-FM Pensions #103: LCP's David Fairs

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/02/07

In this episode of VFM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to LCP partner and PASA Board member David Fairs. David has had a long and distinguished career in the pension industry, including a 5-year stint at The Pensions Regulator as Executive Director responsible for Regulatory Policy, Analysis and Advice.The pensions chat covers DB surplus extraction, Trump (again) and DEI/ESG, NEST taking a stake in IFM and People's Pension appointing itself as its own investment consultant. We also chat

01:32:53

VFM Pensions #102: TPR's Sarah Smart

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/01/31

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Chair of the Pensions Regulator Sarah Smart.In a wide-ranging episode we chat about a lot of things including diversity (spoiler: Trump was mentioned...), climate change and climate investing, the doomsday clock ticking ever closer to midnight, surplus extraction for defined benefit schemes and the role of trustees (which caused Darren to semi-rant about conflicts of interest), and the need for innovation and scope for the use of AI in

01:24:09

V-FM Pensions #94: Robin Ellison

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/01/17

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to pensions lawyer extraordinaire, Robin Ellison.Robin is not shy with his views on policy and regulation and the podcast takes a whistle stop tour through many of the issues the pensions industry is grappling with currently. As well as welcoming the new pensions minister, we talk about Robin's foray into politics with the 'U' party, his views on regulatory policy and regulation including current initiatives to promote value for money and

01:37:55

V-FM Pensions #93: The podcast's response to the...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/01/03

A Happy New Year to all our listeners!!In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico kick off the year with an in depth discussion of the UK Government's consultation on reforms to the Defined Contribution pension market. This consultation is part of the Mansion House package of measures published on 14 November 2024. We chat through the main elements of the consultation including: the (flawed?) premise behind the Mansion House agenda; what scale really means and what we actually mean by a

01:06:11

V-FM Pensions #92: A Merry Mansion House Christmas...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/12/23

After a few weeks break due to illness, V-FM Pensions is back for a Christmas special where Darren and Nico chat about Pensions and the Mansions House reforms and look forward to 2025. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our listeners. Here's to a fantastic 2025!

01:00:17

V-FM Pensions #91: Richard Sweetman

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/11/22

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to Broadstone's Richard Sweetman.Due to illness, publication of this episode has been delayed, but not to worry as you can see how Richard's Mansion House predictions match up to what Rachel Reeve's announced during her maiden Mansion House speech. We also discuss a Private Eye Article on the Budget, money and inflation in ancient Rome, pre-Budget tax speculation that never materialised, and the recent Lord Mayor's speech which called for

01:09:59

V-FM Pensions #87: Tomorrow's Company's Jonathan Maguire

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/10/25

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico spend time chatting with Tomorrow’s Company Jonathan Maguire. Tomorrow’s Company is an organisation focused on inspiring businesses to be a force for good in society and Jon’s focus is on the state of the education system, particularly the lack of funding for special educational needs and the disconnect between the curriculum and the needs of young people.Less pensions chat in this episode, but a really positive and insightful discussion where

01:18:50

VFM Pensions #85: David Porter

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/10/11

In this episode of V-FM the pensions podcast, Darren and Nico chat to the legend that is David Porter. David is now an independent investment consultant who helps schemes and providers implement new approaches.As well as talking about what value for money means to David, we also chat Royal Mail CDC, CDC more generally and Willis Towers Watson arguing that DC is 'broken', deaths outnumbering births in the UK and the cost of a pint of beer!

01:26:41

V-FM Pensions #83: Bravura's Jon Hawkins talks...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/09/27

In this episode of V-FM, the Pensions Podcast, hosts Darren and Nico are joined by Jonathan Hawkins, Propositions Lead at Bravura, to dive deep into what Value for Money (VFM) means in the pensions world.As we navigate Pensions Dashboard Week, Jonathan shares insights on the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces as it prepares for one of the biggest transformations in recent times. We discuss the impact of technology—or the lack thereof—in delivering VFM, the role of data quality,

01:17:10

V-FM Pensions #82: Man of the People's.... Patrick...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/09/20

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to their former boss and Chief Executive of the People's Partnership Patrick Heath-Lay. Patrick has been at People's (formerly B&CE) for his whole career and has a remarkable story of joining the organisation to deliver the mail and then working his way up to become CEO of one of the largest pension schemes in the country.We, of course, ask Patrick what value for money means to him, but we also have an in depth discussion about policy

01:25:24

V-FM Pensions #81: The FCA's value for money...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/09/13

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat about the Financial Conduct Authority's value for money consultation CP24-16.What do we like, what don't we like, what do we think will work, and where is there room for improvement? Listen to find out all this and more.

01:24:38

V-FM Pensions #80: LCPs Steve Budge

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/09/06

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to DC consultant extraordinaire LCP's Steve Budge. Steve has an amazing career in pensions consultancy and we tap into his significant insights and knowledge of DC pensions as we navigate some of the big issues at the front of the industry's minds.The podcast was recorded on the launch day of the latest Pension Attention campaign so we discuss that. We also spend a lot of time chatting about the Government's pensions review call for

01:28:24

V-FM Pensions #78: TOR's David Harris

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/08/23

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren, talk to TOR's David Harris about planes, pensions, policy, and, of course, value for money.David has some amazing international pensions experience and his consultancy (celebrating its 20th year) is well know for creating international connections. He is also known for clocking up the air miles and spends more time in the air than on terra firma. As well as a bit of the expected cricket chatter, David confesses to being an Ipswich Town fan

01:16:54

V-FM Pensions #77: The PPI's Sarah Luheshi

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2024/08/16

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to the PPI's current deputy director Sarah Luheshi. Sarah is retiring at the end of August after an amazing career in the financial services industry, culminating with a fantastic 9 years at the Pensions Policy Institute.In a jam-packed podcast, as well as chatting about the weekly staple of value for money, we talk about Labour's pensions review and the need for it to take a holistic approach, the PPI's pensions framework, pensions

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