How we won the UK Pensions Awards… Phoenix CIS

What does it mean to win the award?

Winning this award is a huge moment for us. Just a few years ago, Phoenix CIS was largely overlooked due to inaccurate perceptions in the industry that we were a closed-book business. But today, we're recognised as one of the UK's leading institutional platforms. This award validates the bold vision we set out, the innovation we've delivered, and, most importantly, the trust our clients and their advisors place in us. We've set ourselves ambitious goals, and this recognition shows we're not just on the right path, we're making real progress by driving innovation to support member outcomes.

What have been your main achievements as an organisation over the past 18 months?

We've achieved a huge amount in the past 18 months, and I'm incredibly proud of what the team has delivered. We've launched long-term asset funds (LTAFs), expanded our fund range, and delivered flexible decumulation solutions that support members through retirement without needing to move off-platform. We've also transformed reporting with a powerful new client portal and member-facing ESG reports, while strengthening our industry partnerships - sharing insight, shaping debate, and supporting trustee education. It's been a period of real momentum, and we're just getting started!

What do you believe sets you apart from your peers and contributes to this success?

I believe it's our unique combination of agility and strength. As a small, expert team within Phoenix Group, we operate with the innovation of a start-up and the backing of a FTSE 100 company. We're relentlessly client-focused - offering bespoke solutions, seamless transitions, and personal service. Clients rate our ability to deliver on promises 9.1/10 and the professionalism of our people 9.8/10. But I think what truly sets us apart is our collaborative approach - we work closely with partners across the industry to tackle complex challenges, co-create solutions, and drive meaningful progress to help shape the future of pensions.

What are the key challenges facing your pension scheme clients at the current time and how are you helping them address these issues?

Our clients are navigating a complex landscape - balancing regulatory change, market volatility, the need for better decumulation options, and growing pressure to diversify into private markets. We're helping them respond by expanding access to less liquid assets through LTAFs and blended fund solutions, enabling more schemes to invest in long-term growth opportunities. We're also building decumulation solutions that reflect the changing nature of retirement - supporting more flexible, phased approaches that align with how people live and work today. And by enhancing our performance and governance reporting, we're giving trustees the tools they need to meet evolving regulatory expectations with confidence.

How will you continue to improve your services to pension scheme clients over the coming 12 months?

We have ambitious plans for the year ahead. Our focus is on unlocking even greater value for our clients - expanding access to private assets, evolving decumulation solutions, and pushing the boundaries of what platforms can deliver. We're working closely with partners to enhance trustee reporting, including the use of AI to deliver more personalised, real-time insights. Our fund range will continue to evolve, and we'll keep investing in our people, technology and service model. For us, it's not just about responding to change – it's about staying ahead of the curve and helping to shape the future of retirement for schemes and their members.

Comments from the Judges

Quotes from the UK Pensions Awards judges included the following:

• "A clear submission with substance."
• "An impressive evidence-backed submission showing great service and an ability to truly collaborate"
• "Phoenix have excellent client satisfaction ratings and clearly demonstrate how they have continued to innovate over the past year"
• "Multiple strong innovations in 2024 – including around LTAFs and client reporting"