SPP Pensions Update for Early Career Professionals
Burges Salmon, 6 New St Square, London, EC4A 3BF and Online
Wednesday 18 March 2026
16:00-19:00pm
Join us on Wednesday 18th March for presentations on a variety of key developments in pensions and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues.
Hear from our expert panel of speakers on:
- The latest developments in DC adequacy, in light of the Pensions Commission
- DB superfunds and how the market is evolving
- An overview of state pensions
- CDC – what you need to know and what lies ahead
Event Schedule
For those joining us in-person, we will be holding a drinks reception following the presentations – a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow professionals over refreshments.
16:00 – Registration & Coffee
16:30 – Sessions Begin
17:45 – Networking Drinks
This event is aimed at those with six or fewer years in pensions, but we do not gatekeep!
Speakers
Mathew Zimmerman
Policy Analyst, 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.
Mathew will be speaking on the latest developments in DC adequacy, in light of the Pensions Commission.
Rebecca Howard
Senior Practice Development Lawyer, Pinsent Masons LLP
Rebecca has more than 15 years’ practical experience advising the trustees and sponsoring employers of defined benefit occupational pension schemes on all aspects of pensions law. She recently became a Senior Knowledge Lawyer at Pinsent Masons and spends much of her time considering the impact of legislative and policy changes on the pensions industry. Rebecca is a member of the SPP Legislation Committee and the Association of Pensions Lawyers.
Rebecca will be providing an overview of state pensions.
Bessie Hamilton (Chair)
Covenant Director, XPS Group
Bessie is a covenant adviser, providing advice to both trustees and sponsoring employers of defined benefit pension schemes. This ranges from assessing covenant strength in the context of triennial valuations and on an ongoing basis to analysing the impact of complex transactions. She is also a member of the SPP Early Career Professionals Group.
Jonathan Hazlett
Managing Director, Open Trustees
Jonathan is the Managing Director of Open Trustees and the Head of Pensions at international law firm, Osborne Clarke.
As well as being a pension lawyer for over 25 years, Jonathan acts as an independent trustee of schemes ranging from £20 million to £2 billion. He is particularly known for his specialism in PPF matters arising out of Open Trustees’ longstanding membership of the PPF’s panel of approved trustees.
Jonathan has also been deeply involved in the DB superfund market having advised the trustees of the Debenhams Retirement Scheme on its transaction with Clara-Pensions in March 2024 as well as advising Clara on its transaction with the Wates Pension Fund in December 2024.
Jonathan will be speaking on DB superfunds, and how the market is evolving
Keith McInally
Director, Willis Towers Watson
Keith is a qualified actuary and Director at WTW. He currently works in the CDC team involved in several CDC projects and DC Decumulation solutions. He is the chair of the CDC Committee for the Society Of Pension Professionals and chair of the IFoA CDC Working Party.
Keith will be speaking on what you need to know and what lies ahead in CDC.
This event is kindly being hosted by…
Burges Salmon LLP
6 New St Square
London
EC4A 3BF
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