Registration opens

Learning Zone session 1:
challenge your ACTUARIES – WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD YOU BE ASKING?

The 2019 valuations aren’t going to be easy.  Now more than ever it’s vital that actuaries are transparent and that funds have robust governance processes to challenge and understand the valuation outcomes.  Get the inside track on the questions to ask. 

Leanne Johnston, Director, Mercer
Paul Middleman, Partner, Mercer

Refreshment break in the exhibition hall

Learning Zone session 2:

the £50 million GMP END GAME.  WHAT DON’T YOU KNOW?

Is your Guaranteed Minimum Pension reconciliation exercise going to worsen or improve your funding position? Many pensioners have been under or over paid and active members will have their benefits reshaped.  We will model a typical scheme, providing insight into what you will face prior to the December 2018 deadline.  

Jane Garton, Senior Project Lead, Data Assurance Services Team, JLT Employee Benefits

Karen Scott, Development Manager, JLT Employee Benefits

Refreshment break in the exhibition hall

Fringe meeting:
ACTIVE INVESTING FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

As QE ends in developed economies, market volatility increases, inflation picks up and technology causes significant disruption, greater dispersion in companies’ returns to shareholders can be expected. In this environment, which are the most important trends for schemes to monitor? How can active managers help schemes exploit this return dispersion?

Mark Mandel, Vice Chair, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Head of Research Portfolios, Wellington Management
Chaired by Caroline Escott, Policy Lead, Investment and Defined Benefit, PLSA

Welcome drinks reception in the exhibition hall

Dinner in the hotel restaurant (no formal arrangements)

EXHIBITION OPENS AND COFFEE SERVED

CHAIR'S WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Richard Butcher, Chair, PLSA

VIEW FROM GOVERNMENT

The recently-appointed minister for local government discusses his vision for local authorities, including house building and infrastructure, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Rishi Sunak MP, Minister for Local Government
Chaired by Richard Butcher, Chair, PLSA

ENSURING VALUE FOR MONEY IN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES

Since the Code of Transparency’s launch, the call for disclosure of management fees has increased, with owners and regulators pushing for fee disclosure across asset classes. With new recommendations emerging from the IDWG, and lessons learned from the LGPS, what are the next steps for funds, advisers and service providers?
Tim Giles, Head of UK Investment Consulting, Aon Hewitt
Jeff Houston, Head of Pensions, Local Government Association; Co-Deputy Chair, Institutional Disclosure Working Group
Andrien Meyers, Head of Treasury and Pensions, London Borough of Lambeth; Senior Policy Adviser, LGPS Scheme Advisory Board
Chaired by Richard Butcher, Chair, PLSA

REFRESHMENT BREAK IN THE EXHIBITION HALL

ECONOMIC SCENARIO FOR THE UK

The near-term outlook for the UK depends largely on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations. While both sides require further concessions from current positions, there are reasons to be optimistic.  Significant challenges to public finances will remain, rendering it essential that schemes employ the full array of investment opportunities. 

Karen Ward, Chief Market Strategist EMEA, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Chaired by: Tiffany Tsang, Policy Lead: LGPS and DB, PLSA

Refreshment break in the exhibition hall

THE 3 R’S – RESOURCING, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

The LGPS has been charged with delivering unprecedented reform during a period of challenging economic, budgetary and operational conditions. Continuing to manage this effectively, requires strong leadership, governance and, importantly, adequately resourced and capable teams. We explore the experiences and best practice examples of resourcing and talent management.
Yunus Gajra, Business Development Manager, West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Philip Latham, Pension Fund Manager, Clwyd Pension Fund
Clare Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Lothian Pension Fund
Chaired by Joe Dabrowski, Head of Governance and Investment, PLSA

USING CHANGE AS THE CATALYST TO GROW STRONGER

When faced with change organisations and the people that comprise them must be resilient while remaining committed to their goals.  A leading sports psychologist gives practical guidance on empowering teams to perform their best in highly pressurised situations.
Steve Bull, former Team GB and England Cricket Psychologist
Chaired by Joe Dabrowski, Head of Governance and Investment, PLSA

Conference Dinner sponsored by mfs

After dinner speaker,  Rt Hon Alan Johnson, former Home Secretary

EXHIBITION OPENS AND COFFEE SERVED

GETTING GOVERNANCE RIGHT

Good governance is essential to pension schemes delivering good member outcomes.  The Pensions Regulator explains their focus and priorities for public service schemes over the coming months, as well as their new ‘clearer, quicker, tougher’ approach. What will this new approach mean, in practice, for local authority schemes? 

Lesley Titcomb, Chief Executive, The Pensions Regulator
Chaired by Richard Butcher, Chair, PLSA

COST CAPS AND THE GOVERNMENT ACTUARY’S DEPARTMENT

Managing costs remains vital to ensuring the sustainable future of the LGPS. What can past valuations tell us about the new cost control mechanisms? What are the big challenges and opportunities in this area? How do the Scheme Advisory Board’s KPIs fit into the new governance framework?

Martin Clarke, Government Actuary, Government Actuary’s Department

Denise Le Gal, Chair, Brunel Pension Partnership; Board Member, LGPS Advisory Board

Chaired by: Tiffany Tsang, Policy Lead: LGPS and DB, PLSA

REFRESHMENT BREAK IN THE EXHBITION HALL

UNDERSTANDING THE COUNCIL FUNDING REVOLUTION

A revolution in the local authority funding system is underway. Cuts to grants, and the introduction of business rates retention and localised council tax benefits mean stronger financial incentives for local growth, but also brings greater new funding risks. What are the knock-on effects for council pensions and investments?

David Phillips, Associate Director - Local and Devolved Finance and TaxDev Centre, Institute for Fiscal Studies

Chaired by: Tiffany Tsang, Policy Lead: LGPS & DB, PLSA

UK CURRENT AFFAIRS OVERVIEW

One of the nation’s best-known broadcast journalists discusses current political affairs while sharing some ‘behind the scenes’ stories on interviews she has conducted and the workings of the modern newsroom. 

Cathy Newman, Journalist and Broadcaster
Chaired by Richard Butcher, Chair, PLSA

Lunch, close of conference