SPP Event for Early Career Professionals: The Debates
Mercer Limited, London and Online
Thursday 19 November 2026
16:15-19:30pm
You’re invited to join our annual Early Career Professionals Debates event on Thursday, 19th November, from 16:15 to 19:00. This event will bring together industry experts to generate discussion on two key issues in pensions in an informal debate setting. Both debates will conclude with a live audience vote to decide the winner! Following the session there will be networking drinks to enable you to connect with others and continue the discussions.
This year’s debate topics are:
- Should mergers of all schemes now be mandatory?
- Should members be free to withdraw some pension savings at any age?
Event Schedule
For those joining us in-person, we will be holding a drinks reception following the presentations – a perfect opportunity to connect and continue the conversation with fellow professionals over refreshments.
16:15 – Registration & Coffee
16:45 – Sessions Begin
18:00 – Networking Drinks
This event is aimed at those with six or fewer years in pensions, but we do not gatekeep!
Speakers
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 Deputy Chair of the SPP Early Career Professionals Group.
xxx
xxx, xxx
xxx will be arguing against mergers of all small schemes being mandatory.
xxx
xxx, xxx
xxx will be arguing against mergers of all small schemes being mandatory.
xxx
xxx, xxx
xxx will be arguing for members being free to withdraw pension savings at any age.
Tom Hill
BPA Origination Manager, Royal London
Tom will be arguing against members being free to withdraw pension savings at any age.
This event is kindly being hosted by…
Mercer Limited
Tower Place West
50 Lower Thames Street
London
EC3R 5BU
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