Laura Blows reports on the topics covered at the Pensions Age Autumn Conference - A new dawn

The title of Pensions Age's latest autumn conference - A new dawn - could not have been more apt, as speakers and delegates lined up to discuss the current and upcoming challenges and themes occurring within pension regulation and investment.

Starting the conference with arguably the biggest shake-up set to affect occupational pensions in recent years was The Pensions Regulator (TPR), discussing how pension schemes can prepare for auto-enrolment.

TPR design and delivery lead for employer compliance Joanna Hancock and registration design lead Sarah Howitt-Jones explained how the regulator is helping employers and the industry to get ready for auto-enrolment, the new employer duties that will arise and what employers, trustees, pension providers and administrators need to do to prepare.

Another topic on the lips of all in pensions is de-risking, which is why Towers Watson head of implemented settlement solutions Fiona Matthews explored two such de-risking options: ETVs and PIEs. She highlighted how ETVs in particular have come under scrutiny but can be beneficial for both the employer and the member, with take up due to increase as "quality improves and word gets out".

Industry focus on de-risking naturally has an effect on the investment choices of pension schemes. Therefore exploring pension funds attitudes to equities were FOUR Capital senior global equity fund manager Colin McQueen, who discussed global active equities and the issues to consider when looking at income opportunities, and Nomura Asset Management CFA, product specialist Fraser Hedley who spoke about "smarter, broader allocations to emerging market equities" and how GDP weighting may be the best approach for emerging market investment.

Wegelin partner Daniel Leveau then explained alternative indexing methods and the pros and cons of each, such as market cap-weighted, equal-weighted, accounting-based, risk-focused and return-focused indices.

Following on from the previous sessions' focus on alternative options was J.P. Morgan Asset Management's executive director Simon Chinnery. He discussed the growth in pension fund investment to alternative assets, the challenges that arise and the techniques needed to overcome them.

Moving away from investment was Premier Pensions Management's head of consultancy John Reeve, who explored how the role of the pensions manager is evolving and where this journey is heading.

Looking at delegated consulting, Aon Hewitt relationship manager Sue Clark then unveiled the findings of its latest report at the seminar, which found that nearly a fifth of schemes have delegated their investment decision making to a third party.

After that, BNP Paribas investment specialist for global balanced solutions Christian Goldsmith explored the most effective ways to manage a dynamic asset allocation strategy to ensure that it lives up to its 'dynamic' billing.

For the penultimate session, Russell Investments head of transition management, implementation services for EMEA Chris Adolph highlighted the importance of transparency within transition management and how the T Charter helps to achieve this.

Ending the day by returning to regulation was Sara Protheroe, director of strategy and policy for the PPF, who explained the reasoning behind the new levy framework for 2012/13 and the actions schemes should consider taking over the next six months in response.

With the day's sessions all exploring new approaches, alternative ways of thinking and new challenges to face over the upcoming year, the conference has proved that it is indeed a new dawn for pensions.

Written by Laura Blows

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