FUTURE
CONFERENCES
Purpose
A strategic forum for UK pension leaders navigating the next era of investment and reform
Programme
09.00 - 09.30
Registration & Networking Coffee
09.30 - 11.00
Session 1: UK Regulatory Landscape: What's Taking Shape
Consolidation and Highlights from the Pension Schemes Bill
11.00 - 11.30
Refreshments & Networking
15.00 - 15.45
Close of Conference and Drinks Reception
The pensions sector is entering a period of fundamental transformation. In this high-level opening session, leading voices from government, The Pensions Regulator (TPR), master trusts, corporate schemes and LGPS come together for a candid conversation about how policy translates into board and investment decisions.
• The consolidation trajectory—practical implications across DB, DC and LGPS
• Key legislative developments and their impact on governance and investment
• Surplus sharing update and what options do schemes now have – run on, buyout, consolidate?
11.30 - 12.45
Session 2: AI and Investment Decision-Making
Understanding the Technology Reshaping Pension Management
AI is moving from experimentation to implementation. 2026 will be the year when strategic decisions about AI adoption become unavoidable. This session examines:
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• AI's influence on fund design, asset allocation and scheme sustainability
• Asset managers' use of AI to enhance performance and transparency
• Governance: what trustees need to understand and oversee
• Applications in trustee decision-making and member communication
• The future of administration—automation, data quality and workforce implications
12.45 - 13.45
Networking Lunch
13.45 - 15.00
Session 3: Private Markets: Allocation Decisions for 2026
Government expectations for pension funds to invest in UK infrastructure and social projects are intensifying. But what does this mean in practice for fiduciary duty, return requirements and portfolio construction? This session addresses the tension between policy objectives and investment realities.
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• UK investment mandate: Understanding government expectations for infrastructure and productive finance—and what's actually investible while meeting return requirements
• Private markets evolution: How democratized access and new structures are reshaping liquidity, risk profiles and competitive positioning for institutional investors
• Portfolio implications: Managing concentrated domestic exposure, liquidity and currency considerations within broader alternative allocations
• Risk and value assessment: Do UK infrastructure opportunities offer competitive risk-adjusted returns? Which private market segments currently present the best value?
• Cost transparency: Evaluating fees and performance structures across UK-focused and global private market investments
Speakers include:
Speakers include:
Ben Ward
Head of Investment Reputation
Nest Pensions
Cost
The conference is by invitation only for pension funds and other institutional investors and we welcome new attendees from these investors. Therefore if you are not already receiving an invitation please contact us. A limited number of Complimentary invitations are available to genuine pension fund representatives (executives and trustees) and other approved institutional investors. However, to ensure we have room for as many funds as possible, we have to limit free places to 3 attendees per approved organisation thereafter a reduced rate fee is payable per delegate. Furthermore, SPS always reserves the right of admission (free or paid) and our decision is final.
Venue
Farmers and Fletchers in the City
3 Cloth St,
London
EC1A 7LD
Tel: 020 7600 2064
Farmers and Fletchers is 1 minute from Barbican tube station, 5 minutes from St.Paul’s tube station
and very convenient for the new Farringdon Crossrail link.
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