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

39:12

V-FM Pensions #134: A quick chat with geopolitical...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/11/05

Hot off the press from the Pensions and Investments' World Pension Summit in The Hague, hosts Darren and Nico chat to geopolitical strategist, Tina Fordham.It's an understatement to say there is a lot going on in the world right now that affects pension fund investors... but we hear the latest from Tina as to what's going on, including quick-fire reactions to the recent US local elections.

92:58

V-FM Pensions #133: To CDC or not CDC, that is the...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/10/31

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico take a deep dive into the Government's proposals for 'at retirement' only CDC. What is the Government proposing and will it become a new norm of pension provision? We also discuss a few news items that have been on our list to cover, including: the sale of Cushon by Natwest, the consultation on professional trustee companies and recent ABI stats on investment in private markets.

50:00

V-FM Pensions #131: Nico and Darren chat about...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren reflect on the Pensions UK's 2025 Annual Conference that took place in Manchester between the 14th-16th October.In a surprisingly short episode (it's amazing how a hard stop for a meeting focuses the minds), as well as reflecting on the nature of the conference we discuss a few of the themes that made the news, not least the Pensions Minister's session with questions on mandation and the announcement of a new consultation on the future of

70:31

V-FM Pensions #129: Wannabe rock star Dave Brooks

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/10/03

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Broadstone's Dave Brooks. As well as having an illustrious career in pensions admin and consultancy, Dave talks about how it nearly 'made it' (or not) in the world of music. We chat tax free cash and the upcoming Budget, consistency of language used in pensions communications and the Pension Commission. We also find out how Dave got into pensions and, of course, find out what value for money means to him.

71:17

V-FM Pensions #128: Darren and Nico are back (again!)

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/09/26

After an unexpected break last week due to illness, this episode of V-FM Pensions restarts the new season of the podcast with hosts Darren and Nico talking about the Pension Scheme's Bill Committee Stage, productive finance and investing in the UK, Behind Login's app rating assessment, and LCP research highlighting the significant assets under control by 4 professional trustee companies....We didn't even have time to discuss Trump's appearance at the UN... Normal service resumed next week, subject

59:49

V-FM Pensions #127: We're back!

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/09/12

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico are back from an extended summer break when Nico became a father for the first time.As well as catching up and talking about the real reason Thomas is named Thomas (and Nico's most successful Linkedin post ever!), the duo talk about what's in store for V-FM this autumn and chew the cud on the Pensions Commission, the upcoming Budget and the Pensions Bill.

01:46:54

V-FM Pensions #126: Guy Opperman

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/07/04

In this bumper episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to former MP and Pensions Minister Guy Opperman. This is an episode that covers everything: horse racing, politics, Government, pensions and policy. And, of course, we ask Guy what value for money means to him!

01:23:45

V-FM Pensions #125: Smart Pension's James Lawrence

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/06/27

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Smart Pension's Director of Investment Proposition, James Lawrence.We chat about: what's going on in the world and what it means for investment; Baroness Altmann's ideas for linking tax relief to investing in the UK; Smart's investment in green bonds and its approach to zero cost investing; the Pension Schemes Bill and the challenges of balancing long-term societal benefits with financial returns in pension investments; CDC and

01:31:51

V-FM Pensions #124: Kris Shergold from Global Fund...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/06/20

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Global Fund Search's Head of UK, Kris Shergold.Another wide-ranging episode, where, as well as discussing what value for money to Kris, we chat about: Electricity generation and the state of the grid Value for money from the Office of Value for Money... Scottish Widows reducing it's UK equity allocation, and Aviva CEO warning that mandating pension investments in UK assets is ‘not the right thing’ Proposals to amend fiduciary

01:32:42

V-FM Pensions #122: VFM at the PMI (part 2)

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/06/09

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat to the CEO of the Money and Pensions Service, Oliver Morley, and Ellen Quigley from the University of Cambridge.This is part two of the podcast recorded 'on the road' at the PMI Annual Conference.

01:07:12

V-FM Pensions #120: Darren and Nico discuss the...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/06/02

In this V-FM Pensions special, hosts Nico and Darren discuss the outcome of the Government's Pensions and Investment Review phase 1.Tune in to hear about what the review had to say and also hear the hosts' views on what's hot, what's not, and what's still just simply confusing....

01:34:01

V-FM Pensions #118: Eversheds' Michael Jones

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/05/23

In this episode of VFM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Eversheds Sutherland's Partner and Head of DC, Michael Jones, about all things value for money.Michael has the honour(?) of being the first actively practicing pensions lawyer on the podcast and he timed his appearance perfectly being a Spurs fan (recording the morning after a lucky Europa Cup win...) As well as finding out how Michael got into pensions and what value for money means to him, we have a wide-ranging discussion

01:13:43

V-FM Pensions #117: XPS' Mark Searle

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/05/16

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to XPS' Head of DC Investments Mark Searle.As well as finding out what value for money means to Mark and how he got into the pensions industry we, of course, kick off by talking about the gig news of the week, the Mansion House Accord. We also chat pensions adequacy, at retirement solutions and investing in the US. Enjoy!

01:43:48

V-FM Pensions #116: Fidelity International's James Monk

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/05/09

In this episode of V-FM pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Fidelity International's James Monk.As well as finding out what value for money means to James and how he got into pensions, the wide-ranging discussions covers: Mansion House and local investing, and a general discussion about UK economic developments; Trump's crypto play; TPT's announcement that it is planning to introduce multi-employer CDC; a report from the SPP urging savers not to panic; and the pros and cons of life vs custody

01:07:26

V-FM Pensions #115: Looking forward, looking back - a...

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/05/02

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico spend time reflecting on some of the key pension and investment topics of the moment, building on comments from guests over the last few episodes.We chat about Tony Blair's latest comments on climate change, the latest gossip about the next iteration of Mansion House and productive finance, assessing value for money by scratching the ITCH, next steps for collective defined contribution schemes, and a whole lot more... We also get an update on

01:19:37

V-FM Pensions #114: Steve Delo, Chair of Pan Trustees

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/04/25

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat with the Chair of Pan Trustees, Steve Delo.Steve is a Trustee on many schemes and was chair of the People's Pension for 10 years from its inception (he had the pleasure of working closely with the podcast hosts for a good few years). We take a trip down memory lane discussing some historical pensions issues that schemes and trustees are still grappling with, focussing on the complexity of administration and data. We also chat about Steve's

01:23:02

V-FM Pensions #131: Fulcrum's Matt Roberts

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/04/17

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Darren and Nico chat to Fulcrum's Head of Alternative Solutions Matt Roberts.Matt takes the podcast by storm and rips up the usual podcast format by kicking off with his views on what value for money means to him... We also cover tariffs, consolidation, zero cost equity investing, British Steel and... would you believe it... stamp collecting...

01:25:49

V-FM Pensions #112 NEST's Phil Brown

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/04/11

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren chat to NEST policy guru Philip Brown about all things pensions and all things policy.As well as talking about the 100th anniversary of the Great Gatsby and celebrating Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid, we chat pension freedoms, market volatility, the role of NEST, Hymans proposals for reform of the pension system, CDC and a whole load more! We also find out how Phil got into pensions and discuss what value for money means to

01:18:05

V-FM Pensions #111: The PMI's Helen Forrest Hall

V-FM: The Pensions Podcast ·

2025/04/04

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico Chat to the PMI's new Chief Strategy Officer, Helen Forrest Hall.Helen has been in the industry for 20 or so years and has just recently joined the PMI following a glittering career spanning time at The Pensions Regulator, the NAPF, and the DWP. Helen is a self-confessed pensions and policy geek, and we get stuck into topics such as pensions and housing, TPR's approach to supervising professional trustee companies, a recent talk by the

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

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