V-FM: The Pensions Podcast

In this episode of V-FM Pensions Nico and Darren (slightly croaky and end-of-year tired) chat glow-in-the-dark dog walks, North London derby emotions and the Pensions Expert Annual Conference at Pennyhill Park… before diving head-first into the Budget and the chaos that surrounded it. We unpack Darren’s recent comment piece in Pensions Expert, the OBR leak that turned out to be more cock-up than conspiracy, and why pre-Budget “kite flying” left real people scrambling over tax-free cash decisions. From ISA tweaks to salary sacrifice caps and frozen tax thresholds, we ask what any of this says about trust, growth and whether the government actually has a story to tell. We also loop back to interviews with three of our World Pensions Summit guests (Tina Fordham, Amlan Roy and Sonja Lund) and link the Budget madness to the bigger themes of volatility, broken forecasting and the end of the “great moderation”.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Maurits van Joolingen, Managing Director Climate Scenarios and Sustainability, at Ortec Finance. This is part of a series of episodes recorded at the World Pensions Summit in early November. A proper climate and scenario analysis geek out! We also discuss the news covering: the Budget, the state pension triple lock, the FCA pension scheme's investments in UK assets (or lack of), and Smart Pension landing the £580m WS stakeholder pension scheme.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Nordea's Head of Responsible Investment, Eric Pedersen. This is part of a series of interviews recorded at the World Pensions Summit. The central tenet of Eric's argument is true decarbonisation requires investing in and engaging with high-emitting sectors rather than divesting from them. Nordea have a created a Climate Transition Engagement Fund that targets companies demonstrating credible pathways to reduce emissions, supporting practical, real-world impact over superficial portfolio footprint cuts. Eric highlights how pragmatic engagement and long-term stewardship can deliver both climate progress and competitive returns. We also take the opportunity to catch up on the latest news, discussing the recent LSE/FTSE letter to the Chancellor begging for pension funds to invest in UK equites and also talk a bit about salary sacrifice and Budget 2025.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions recorded at the Pensions and Investments World Pensions Summit, hosts Darren and Nico chat to economist and demographic expert, Dr Amlan Roy. We talk to Amlan about why demographics is really about how people live, work and spend across their whole lives, and what that means for pensions and markets right now, not just in 30 years’ time. We cover micro pensions for gig and informal workers, why emerging markets are central to future growth, and how location can make a massive difference to retirement costs. Amlan explains why scenario-based planning beats traditional models, highlights six sectors with demographic tailwinds, and tackles the big value-for-money and fairness questions: how much return should we give up for sustainability, and is it time to rethink promises to older generations?

In this episode of V-FM Pensions recorded at the World Pension Summit, hosts Darren and Nico chat to L&G Asset Management CIO, Sonia Laud. Sonia reprises her opening keynote session giving insights into how the investment universe is evolving, picking up on the key theme of the Summit: Resilience in the age of uncertainty. Her key message... prepare, don't predict!

Hot off the press from the Pensions and Investments' World Pension Summit in The Hague, hosts Darren and Nico chat to geopolitical strategist, Tina Fordham. It's an understatement to say there is a lot going on in the world right now that affects pension fund investors... but we hear the latest from Tina as to what's going on, including quick-fire reactions to the recent US local elections.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico take a deep dive into the Government's proposals for 'at retirement' only CDC. What is the Government proposing and will it become a new norm of pension provision? We also discuss a few news items that have been on our list to cover, including: the sale of Cushon by Natwest, the consultation on professional trustee companies and recent ABI stats on investment in private markets.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to defined contribution and financial wellbeing consultant, Hymans' James Smith. We spend a lot of the podcast focusing on James' blueprint for pensions reform - Retirement Reimagined - which is co-authored in a personal capacity with Alexandra Miles. We discuss and debate many of the ideas in the paper, including changes to the state pension, the creation of a Universal Employment Pension, the use of CDC, and sidecar savings... all with the aim of delivering better retirement outcomes for normal people. Massive hats off to James and Alexandra for committing their own time and resource to this - it's a fab read! We also, of course, find out how James got into pensions and ask what value for money means to him.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Nico and Darren reflect on the Pensions UK's 2025 Annual Conference that took place in Manchester between the 14th-16th October. In a surprisingly short episode (it's amazing how a hard stop for a meeting focuses the minds), as well as reflecting on the nature of the conference we discuss a few of the themes that made the news, not least the Pensions Minister's session with questions on mandation and the announcement of a new consultation on the future of Professional Trusteeship.

In this episode of V-FM, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Pensions and Investments International News Editor, Sophie Baker. Sophie has had an amazing career in pensions journalism and also is Programme Director and Chair of the World Pensions Summit. In an investment heavy episode, we discuss PGGM's recent major portfolio overhaul, where they shifted from passive to active investing (reducing their investment universe from 3,500 stocks to 800), equally weighting return, risk, and sustainability in their decision-making process. We also chatted about how partnerships are emerging globally to institutionalise retail access to private markets and discuss progress so far (or the lack of it) with UK pension fund investment into venture capital. We take a look forward to the upcoming World Pensions Summit that is taking place in The Hague on 4-6 November 2025. In breaking news, we also announce that your hosts will attending the conference and interviewing some of the speakers. And, of course, we find out how Sophie got into pensions and journalism, and find out what value for money means to her.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Broadstone's Dave Brooks. As well as having an illustrious career in pensions admin and consultancy, Dave talks about how it nearly 'made it' (or not) in the world of music. We chat tax free cash and the upcoming Budget, consistency of language used in pensions communications and the Pension Commission. We also find out how Dave got into pensions and, of course, find out what value for money means to him.

After an unexpected break last week due to illness, this episode of V-FM Pensions restarts the new season of the podcast with hosts Darren and Nico talking about the Pension Scheme's Bill Committee Stage, productive finance and investing in the UK, Behind Login's app rating assessment, and LCP research highlighting the significant assets under control by 4 professional trustee companies.... We didn't even have time to discuss Trump's appearance at the UN... Normal service resumed next week, subject to being fit and healthy....

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, Darren and Nico are back from an extended summer break when Nico became a father for the first time. As well as catching up and talking about the real reason Thomas is named Thomas (and Nico's most successful Linkedin post ever!), the duo talk about what's in store for V-FM this autumn and chew the cud on the Pensions Commission, the upcoming Budget and the Pensions Bill.

In this bumper episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to former MP and Pensions Minister Guy Opperman. This is an episode that covers everything: horse racing, politics, Government, pensions and policy. And, of course, we ask Guy what value for money means to him!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Smart Pension's Director of Investment Proposition, James Lawrence. We chat about: ...and a whole lot more! We also find out how James got into pensions, and, of course, what value for money means to him.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to Global Fund Search's Head of UK, Kris Shergold. Another wide-ranging episode, where, as well as discussing what value for money to Kris, we chat about: Enjoy!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico chat to pensions goth and research guru, Daniela Silcock about all things pensions. As well as talking about what value for money means to Daniela, we discuss: and a whole lot more.... enjoy!

In this episode of V-FM Pensions hosts Nico and Darren chat to the CEO of the Money and Pensions Service, Oliver Morley, and Ellen Quigley from the University of Cambridge. This is part two of the podcast recorded 'on the road' at the PMI Annual Conference.

In this episode of V-FM Pensions, hosts Darren and Nico interview some amazing speakers at the PMI's Annual Conference. Part one covers interviews with PMI CEO, Gareth Tancred, and the PPF's Michelle Osterman and Kate Jones. Part two covers interviews with MAPS' Oliver Morley and Ellen Quigley from the University of Cambridge.

In this V-FM Pensions special, hosts Nico and Darren discuss the outcome of the Government's Pensions and Investment Review phase 1. Tune in to hear about what the review had to say and also hear the hosts' views on what's hot, what's not, and what's still just simply confusing....