SPP Conference 2025: Looking Ahead at the Next 5 Years in DC
Online
Thursday 4 September 2025
09:00-10:15am
Our Conference will open with a wide-ranging perspective on what the DC market may look like in five years’ time, including:
- FCA – Where are the intentions in key policy areas and what are government’s aims and ambitions? How different might things look in five years’ time.
- Adequacy – Following the announcement of the Pensions Commission, there is plenty for the industry to consider. What can we achieve over the next five or so years?
- Consolidation – What will the market look like in five years? Both in terms of own-trust and multi-employer scheme consolidation—and how will we get there?
- AI and Technology – With the advice/guidance boundary review and default pension solutions emerging, digital-led member journeys are going to be crucial. At what pace can we expect this to move and where are we likely to be in 5 years?
Preparations for this event are ongoing, with the event chair and SPP President, Sophia Singleton, saying that ‘…with an expert panel including representatives from the FCA, providers and consultancies, this event is shaping to be a fascinating exploration of where the DC market is heading in the coming years.’
Speakers
Mathew Zimmerman
Market Development Manager, Scottish Widows
Mat is a policy analyst, covering insurance, pensions and investments at Scottish Widows, part of Lloyds Banking Group. His main focus is regulatory and legislative change for DC pensions and automatic enrolment.
Dale Critchley
Policy Manager – Workplace Saving, Aviva
Dale is Policy Manager for workplace savings within Aviva, the UK’s largest provider of workplace pensions. He leans on his 36 years’ of experience in a variety of roles to help shape pension policy and ensure the full implications for all stakeholders are understood. Dale is a regular contributor in the pensions press. He is a member of the Living Pension Steering Group, the pension industry’s Pensions Equity Group (PEG), ABI, SPP and TISA Policy Groups.
Hayley Williams
Partner, LCP
Hayley is a Partner in the Client Communications team at LCP, bringing over 25 years of hands-on experience helping trustees and employers across diverse industries transform how they communicate about pensions.
She works in partnership with her clients to deliver tailored communications that engage members to improve their understanding and support decision making across both DB and DC pensions.
Passionate about innovation, Hayley is also at the forefront of integrating AI tools into pension communications—helping clients harness the power of new technology to personalise messaging, simplify complexity, and reach members in smarter, more impactful ways.
Pete Cottingham
Senior Associate, Senior Institutional Investments Policy, Financial Conduct Authority
Pete is a Senior Associate in the Institutional Investments Team at the FCA with a focus on pensions. Prior to joining the FCA in November 2024 Pete was Head of Policy Development at M&G, and has also spent time as a Policy Advisor at HMT in his 20+ years working in pensions.
Pete has a long history with SPP. Prior to joining the FCA Pete sat on SPP Council, was Chair of the SPP Member Services Committee and previously sat on Legislation Committee.
Sophia Singleton (Chair)
SPP President And Head Of DC, XPS Pensions Group
Sophia is a partner and Head of DC at XPS Pensions Group. She has over 25 years’ experience in the UK pensions industry and advises corporates and trustees across all areas of their DC schemes including optimising benefit design, developing investment solutions, improving member engagement and ensuring effective scheme governance.
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