Victoria Tichá
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Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund buys stake in PIC
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has agreed to acquire up to 21.4% of shares in the Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) Group from its founding investor J.C. Flowers & Co.
Time for fiduciaries to follow route 36
Donny Hay says a simple section 36 letter could reassure trustees over their fiduciary manager selection.
Trafalgar House launches transition team with two hires
Trafalgar House has created a dedicated transition team to help more schemes safely transfer services and deliver an improved service.
Franklin Templeton appoints head of UK institutional
Franklin Templeton Investments has named Jennifer Ockwell as its head of UK institutional.
More action needed on long recovery plans, say respondents
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we wanted to know whether defined benefit (DB) schemes with recovery plans over 10 years should have to explain, and if the regulator should create a pool of 'super trustees' that can be parachuted into schemes to fix problems...
How schemes are taking first steps to integrating ESG
A growing number of schemes are moving towards integrating responsible investment policies into investment processes. Charlotte Moore looks at how funds are approaching this
PPF issues first guidance on CVA expectations
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has published its first official guidance on how it expects companies seeking company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) to set out their proposals.
Have your say: Do we need 'super trustees' to take on failing pension schemes?
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we want to know whether the regulator should create a pool of 'super trustees' that can be parachuted into schemes to fix problems when they arise.
Pension transfer values back on the rise in May
Difference of 2.4%
Origo successfully trials pensions dashboard for 15 million users
DWP paper expected soon
Fulcrum fills newly created investor relations position
First State Investments' Chris Gower has been named director for global consultants and pension funds in a newly created role at Fulcrum Asset Management.
Redington makes two senior promotions
Redington has promoted David Bennett to its executive board, with Patrick O'Sullivan set to replace him as head of investment consulting.
Political instability to grow over next six months, say respondents
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we wanted to know whether geopolitical risk will increase or decrease over the next six months, and how Guy Opperman has performed as pensions and financial inclusion minister over his first year in the post.
Incoming Zurich CEO named first woman chair of ABI
First woman in its 100-year history
Matthews to replace Smart as chair of TPT trustees
Joanna Matthews will succeed Sarah Smart who leaves TPT Retirement Solutions (TPT) trustee board after eight years in the post.
Over half of charity DB schemes now closed to future accrual
Some 58% of UK charities have closed their defined benefit (DB) schemes to future accrual, Hymans Robertson research reveals.
Have your say: How do you rate Guy Opperman's performance after one year in office?
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we want to know how you would rate Guy Opperman's performance as pensions and financial inclusion minister after his first year in the post, and whether you believe geopolitical risk will increase or decrease over the next...
PMI names Aberdeen Standard Investments as ESG insight partner
The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has partnered with Aberdeen Standard Investments as its environmental, social and governance (ESG) insight partner.
UK employees place greater emphasis on workplace pensions than other countries
Workers in the UK expect more than a third of their retirement income to come from workplace pensions, second only to the Netherlands at 37%, according to research by Aegon.
MPs warn FCA must publish guidance on financial risk of climate change
A parliamentary inquiry has found "worrying disparity" between The Pensions Regulator's (TPR) and Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) pension scheme guidance when it comes to considering environmental risk as a financial factor.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week's top stories include MPs questioning the regulator's leadership in a letter to the watchdog's chairman, and FTSE 100 schemes post accounting surplus for first time in decade.
Minority of UK's largest funds 'complacent' about action on climate change
While the majority of UK's largest pension funds have taken action on climate change, parliament says some are still failing to manage their schemes responsibly
Steve Webb: Does The Pensions Regulator deserve the criticism it's getting?
The regulator has come under significant criticism in the wake of the Carillion affair. Sir Steve Webb asks if the flak it is getting is fair?
PPF appoints Claire Curtin as head of ESG
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has named Claire Curtin as head of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).
Just Group launches subsidiary to address DB transfer market challenge
Just Group has launched a business in a bid to transform the way trustees, members and financial advisers implement and participate in scheme transfer exercises.
PPF appoints Stephen Wilcox as chief risk officer
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) has named Stephen Wilcox as chief risk officer, replacing Hans den Boer who leaves the lifeboat fund after just over three years in the role.
ACA names Jenny Condron as first female chair
The Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) has appointed its first female chair, Jenny Condron. Victoria Ticha speaks to her about the key pension issues that must be addressed and how to bridge the industry's gender gap
Sackers expands firm with three associate hires
Sacker has appointed Emily Whitelock, Shannon Diggory and Tony Hewitt as associates to help meet ongoing demand.
TPO and TPR share information to boost standards and protect members
The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) have signed an information-sharing agreement to enhance their combined knowledge and understanding of developing issues.
Providers should develop default retirement pathways, say respondents
In this week's Pensions Buzz we asked if, following the announcement that Smart Pension and Legal and General are developing the first default retirement pathway combining annuities and drawdown, other providers should follow suit.
First Actuarial's DB index surplus reaches record high in April
All 6,000 UK schemes had a surplus of £361bn by the end of last month when calculated under a best estimate return on their assets, according to First Actuarial.
A closer look at TPR seeking forced entry powers to seize assets
The pensions watchdog has appointed enforcement officers to seize assets from employers who fail to pay fines relating to their schemes. Victoria Ticha asks if this is the right approach
M&S completes buy-ins totalling £1.4bn with Aviva and Phoenix Group
The Marks and Spencer (M&S) Pension Scheme has insured around 15% of its pensioner liabilities through two bulk annuity insurance policies with Aviva and Phoenix Group.
Have your say: Will TPR's resource boost be adequate to take more forceful action against flagging schemes?
In this week's Pensions Buzz, we want to know if you think whether the regulator significantly boosting its staff for more visible and forceful action against flagging schemes will be enough, and whether it is focusing too much on the protection of DB...
Brewery and its chairman admit failing to hand over information to TPR
Samuel Smith Old Brewery and its chairman Humphrey Smith have pleaded guilty to neglecting or refusing to provide financial information and documents to The Pensions Regulator for an investigation.
Smart Pension and L&G to develop default retirement pathway
Smart Pension and Legal & General (L&G) have partnered to create a workplace pension retirement income product that will combine drawdown and annuities.
Keeping up with UK longevity trends
David Weeks says pension schemes need to give attention to risks that flow from longevity trends.
Single financial guidance body and cold-call ban provisions come into law
The bill creating a new single financial guidance body and introducing provisions for a ban on pension cold-calling has received Royal Assent today.
Prudential reinsures $1.2bn of PIC's longevity risk
Prudential Insurance Company of America (PICA) has agreed to reinsure around $1.2bn (£900m) of Pension Insurance Corporation's (PIC) longevity risk.
ITM completes management buyout in preparation for growth
Independent Transition Management (ITM) has completed a private equity-backed management buyout for an undisclosed sum.
AMX launches CCFs in bid to boost industry's efficiency and transparency
Asset Management Exchange (AMX) has added tax transparent global equity vehicles to its range of investment funds to cut scheme costs and increase transparency across the industry.
Royal London's Jamie Clark leaves after two decades
Jamie Clark has stepped down as business development manager at Royal London in Edinburgh, after almost 20 years at the firm.
Legal & General Mastertrust appoints new trustee
Legal & General Mastertrust has appointed David Butcher to its board of trustees.
Pensions regulation is too prescriptive, say respondents
Majority of respondents agree with the PLSA that regulation is too micro-managerial
Hymans Robertson promotes four to partner
Hymans Robertson has appointed four new partners across different areas within the firm, including financial services and defined benefit.
DB closure to future accrual gathers pace as just 4% open to new members, finds research
Some 43% of defined benefit (DB) schemes are closed to future accrual, while just 4% are still open to new active members, according to analysis by Barnett Waddingham.
TPR in talks with Sainsbury's over scheme impact of Asda merger
The Pensions Regulator and Sainsbury's have confirmed they are in talks over the impact of the Asda tie-up on the supermarket's defined benefit (DB) pension scheme.
Smart Pension continues expansion with appointment of executive consultant
Smart Pension has appointed Eamon Mulholland as executive consultant to help with the firm's expansion.