Willis Towers Watson
Willis Towers Watson launches diversity action plan; warns progress is 'disappointingly slow'
Willis Towers Watson has set out a diversity action plan for the investment industry after its research found progress on diversity is “disappointingly slow” across the entire sector.
Just one in six schemes report long-term covenant damage
Just one in six (16%) of schemes believe the Covid-19 pandemic has weakened their sponsor’s ability to support them in the long term, research by Willis Towers Watson finds.
Two in five schemes expect to transfer risk within three years, finds Willis Towers Watson
Two in five UK defined benefit (DB) schemes expect to complete a bulk annuity or longevity swap transaction within the next three years, Willis Towers Watson research finds.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories included the passing of the Pension Schemes Bill in the House of Commons at the second reading. Also, Willis Towers Watson claimed that collective defined contribution pensions could average significantly higher than either defined...
UK Pensions Awards 2020 - The Winners
Here they are - the winners of the UK Pensions Awards 2020...
Asset managers warned measuring impact alone is not enough
Institutional investors risk a disconnect between ambition and reality if they focus on measuring investment impact without explicitly linking it to value creation for stakeholders, The Thinking Ahead Institute (TAI) warns.
Mark Calnan: Looking to the horizon
Jonathan Stapleton speaks to Willis Towers Watson EMEA head of investments Mark Calnan about how diversification, ESG and risk management remain key for schemes in aftermath of Covid-19
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories include findings from PwC that pensions schemes have been “shoehorned” into valuing liabilities against gilts, while Mercer launched a defined benefit master trust.
Schemes in 'denial' over dependence on 'once-a-century' equity performance to close funding gaps
Underfunded defined benefit (DB) pension schemes in the UK are over-dependent on historically improbable equity returns, analysis by Willis Towers Watson reveals.
UK investment consultants form joint working group on sustainability
A dozen UK investment consulting firms have established a group aiming to improve sustainable investment practices across the investment industry.
Five stories you may have missed this week
This week’s top stories included the launch of the #100blackinterns project, while the Siemens Benefits Scheme agreed a £530m buy-in with Legal & General.
The Covid-19 fallout for DB schemes, and how to deal with it
Three investment professionals tell Professional Pensions how the pandemic has impacted scheme portfolios, what opportunities may arise post-pandemic, and the key lessons for trustees
L&G, Willis Towers Watson and USS unite behind black graduate intern programme
More than 80 major fund management firms will come together to offer a range of investment internships to black graduates.
Littlewoods scheme completes £930m buy-in with Rothesay Life
The Littlewoods Pensions Scheme has completed a buy-in covering just under £930m of around 6,500 members’ benefits with Rothesay Life, the majority of which relate to deferred members.
Master trust adoption set to accelerate among FTSE 250 companies
The number of FTSE 250 companies moving to a master trust is set to increase over the next two years, according to research by Willis Towers Watson (WTW).
Aon's Michael Clare: Moving towards a new better
Professional Pensions spoke to Aon EMEA head of retirement & investment Michael Clare as part of an exclusive series of interviews with the leaders of some of the UK’s leading pension consulting firms. This is what he had to say…
WTW: One-in-five schemes considering superfunds
One-in-ten defined benefit (DB) schemes have already discussed the option of superfund consolidation as a target endgame while a further 9% are planning to do so shortly, according to Willis Towers Watson (WTW).
Bulk annuity 'end of year sale' possible as total volumes expected to halve
Covid-19 has caused a slowdown in the number of bulk annuity transactions, with buy-ins and buyouts expected to amount to a maximum of £25bn this year, Willis Towers Watson says.
Making DC fit for purpose with technology and scale
Tim Hodgson looks at how technology will impact the way defined contribution funds are delivered and administered.
Isio partner James Riley named SPP president
The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has named James Riley as president for a two-year term beginning 1 June.
Alignment is key to active fiduciary management outsourcing
Following the Competition and Marketing Authority's investigation, Nick Reeve looks at how trustees can prepare for the formal tender process required for the selection of fiduciary managers.
RPMI Railpen purchases Scottish windfarm
RPMI Railpen has agreed to acquire 90% of the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm from GreenPower International.
Aon to buy Willis Towers Watson in $30bn deal
Aon has confirmed it will buy Willis Towers Watson in a $30bn (£23bn) all-share deal, becoming the UK's largest pension consulting firm.
Rash Bhabra: The importance of passion
Willis Towers Watson's GB head of retirement speaks to James Phillips about changing DB regulation, trustee power, and a refocus on DC
