The Aon 2021 Virtual Pension Conference has been designed for trustees of pension schemes and pensions, HR and finance professionals who make decisions about their company’s pension scheme. Pensions schemes and trustees have adapted over time with changes to the pensions landscape and the needs of members. This conference will help you reflect on your own pension scheme strategy and will include lots of real-life examples.

Undoubtedly, this conference series will look and feel different for many of you who are used to attending our in-person conferences but we have been working very hard to design this 2021 virtual conference so that you have the same experience. The conference will give you access to interesting and topical content and thought provoking insights from Aon specialists, and you will have a chance to network and discuss the content with other delegates in breakout rooms and in our virtual networking rooms.

REGISTER HERE

09:30 - 09:50

Welcome & Key note address Charles Counsell, Chief Executive

The Pensions Regulator (TPR)

Speakers: Chairs

09:50 - 10:20

Investing in the new normal

Speakers: Koray Yesildag

As the immediate impacts of the pandemic fade and lockdowns come to an end, we are emerging into a world where so much of life has seemingly changed. What will the New Normal mean for asset allocation? This interactive session will highlight some of the most important issues that need to be addressed for the Medium-Term and our recommendations for navigating through this highly uncertain time.

10:30 - 10:50

Strengthening scheme resilience

Speakers: Rachel Croft, Professional Trustee at ITS; Sarah Horan, Professional Trustee at ITS; Susan Austen; Vanessa-Jane Jaeger;

2020 turned the dial on pension scheme governance, moving meetings and decision making online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, yet cyber threats continued to increase and have a real impact on pension schemes.

What legacy has 2020 left for pension schemes, and how does pension scheme governance deal with preparing for the next big threat as well as capitalising on opportunities?

This session is aimed at trustees and sponsors of both DB and DC pension schemes and will include case studies, surveys to identify what schemes are currently doing to improve their resilience, as well as some suggestions for next steps.

11:00 - 11:20

How will the pensions landscape reflect and readjust?

Speaker: Emma Moore

2020 is not a year we will forget in a hurry! This session takes us back 12 months as we look at how COVID-19 has impacted DB and DC schemes over 2020, before looking forward to consider how the pensions landscape is likely to change in the future as a result.  How will the regulatory environment adapt?  Which pensions risks have grown in priority?  How are members’ needs likely to change?  We will reach for our crystal ball as we attempt to provide possible answers to these questions

11:30 - 12:05

Practical diversity & inclusion for pension schemes

Speaker: Susan Hoare

World events have increased the focus on diversity & inclusion (D&I). Many corporates have well developed D&I activity. We will help you understand what benefits you can get from considering it for your pension scheme. This session will help you in your role as a trustee, pension manager or corporate sponsor discuss some of the practical areas for addressing D&I issues for your pension scheme. You will also hear from Simone Macmillan-Binns, Senior Pensions Manager UK&I at General Electric on her experience of starting an active D&I journey.

12:05 - 12:35

Virtual networking