Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a multi-year transformation and managed services agreement with Canada Life to modernise the insurer's IT infrastructure across its European businesses.

Under the partnership, TCS will use artificial intelligence and digital capabilities to modernise and manage Canada Life's data centres, core infrastructure, end-user computing and software lifecycle management. The programme is expected to improve operational resilience, increase automation and enhance user experience. Canada Life Europe chief information and transformation officer, Caroline Dibbs, said the agreement marked the next stage of the firm's technology modernisation journey, while TCS UK & Ireland head, Vinay Singhvi, highlighted the company's expertise in AI-led transformation. TCS also confirmed plans to expand its infrastructure services talent base across the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Germany.

The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has published a new guide to help early-career professionals build successful careers in the pensions industry.

The publication, A Career in Pensions: Navigating the Early Years, provides advice on topics including professional qualifications, career progression, communication skills, networking, ethics and work-life balance. The guide emphasises that there is no single route into the pensions sector and highlights opportunities across areas such as administration, actuarial work, investment consulting, law, covenant advisory and pension management. SPP Early Career Professionals Group chair, Tom Hill, said the pensions industry offers strong career prospects and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. He described the guide as a "practical roadmap" designed to help the next generation of pensions professionals navigate both the challenges and opportunities of the sector.

Barnett Waddingham has renewed its Insight Partnership with the Pensions Management Institute (PMI), extending its support for the professional body through specialist pensions administration and management expertise.

The partnership will see Barnett Waddingham continue to provide editorial content, webinars, events, case studies and thought leadership for PMI members, helping them navigate regulatory and economic developments affecting the pensions sector. The renewal follows Barnett Waddingham's integration into Howden after its acquisition by the global insurance and employee benefits intermediary in April 2025. Commenting on the agreement, Barnett Waddingham head of pension administration, Paul Latimer, said the renewal reflected the firm's long-standing commitment to the pensions industry. PMI chief customer officer, Varsha Gicas, added that access to specialist insight and guidance would help members deliver better outcomes for savers.

The Church of Scotland Pension Schemes has appointed XPS Group to provide full administration services in the schemes' first move to an outsourced administration model.

The mandate covers the Church of Scotland Pension Scheme for Ministers & Overseas Missionaries, the Church of Scotland Pension Scheme for Staff, and the Church of Scotland Pension Scheme for Ministries Development Staff, with XPS set to provide administration, pension payroll and accounting services for around 4,200 members. The decision followed a trustee review that identified potential efficiency gains and cost savings through outsourcing as the schemes progress towards wind-up. XPS has provided actuarial and investment advisory services to the schemes' £290m of assets since 2021. Church of Scotland chief officer, Reverend Norman Smith, said the appointment would provide members with continuity, security and access to specialist support, while XPS partner and relationship manager, Alasdair Gill, said the firm looked forward to delivering a high-quality administration service during the scheme's next phase.

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