Michelle Cracknell wins PMI student essay competition

Jonathan Stapleton
clock • 1 min read

Michelle Cracknell has won the Pensions Management Institute’s third student essay competition with an article on how data can be used to better segment and target member communications to improve engagement.

Cracknell is the former chief executive of The Pensions Advisory Service, who has recently completed the PMI's Award in Pension Trusteeship as part of her role as a professional trustee.

The winning entry to the competition - which was sponsored by ITM - can be read in full here.

Commenting on Cracknell's win, the PMI said: "Our winner is a well-known professional within the industry. She is an excellent example of an individual who has demonstrated continuous professional development by embarking on further training through formal assessment and recently completing the Award in Pension Trusteeship. This shows PMI qualifications are available to anyone at any stage of their career and encompasses the essence of lifelong learning."

The competition's two runners up were Muse Advisory senior consultant Ben Picknett and First Actuarial administrator Jennifer Dean.

The Pensions Management Institute's next student essay competition is now underway.

The topic is ‘Covid-19 has changed the way people and companies in the pensions industry are working. Will these become permanent changes in working practice, operational delivery and communication, or will old habits and methods return? What can we learn from current practices and what does the speed of change since restrictions were imposed, tell us?'.

The deadline to register to enter is 15 May and deadline to submit is 26 June. Further information can be found on the PMI website.

More on Industry

UK Pensions Framework shows 'no material progress' since 2022, PPI finds

UK Pensions Framework shows 'no material progress' since 2022, PPI finds

Institute’s report highlights ‘urgent’ need to commence second phase of the pensions review

Martin Richmond
clock 16 July 2025 • 4 min read
Industry responds to 'simple' and 'unsurprising' Mansion House speech

Industry responds to 'simple' and 'unsurprising' Mansion House speech

Chancellor provided no update on the Pensions Review and no clarity around AE

Holly Roach
clock 16 July 2025 • 3 min read
UK inflation unexpectedly rises to 3.6% in June

UK inflation unexpectedly rises to 3.6% in June

Up from 3.4% in May

Linus Uhlig
clock 16 July 2025 • 3 min read
Trustpilot