SPP Event: Professional Development - Communication, Confident Networking and Career Progression
An event for Early Career ProfessionalsBurges Salmon LLP, London, and Online
Thursday 01 October 2026
16:15-19:30
You’re invited to join our Early Careers Professionals event on Thursday, 1st October, from 16:15 to 19:30. We will bring together a diverse panel of voices to share insights, experiences, and practical advice to help you develop the soft skills needed to thrive in your career. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, this will be an excellent opportunity be guided and inspired by leaders across the industry and beyond.
Our speakers will cover:
- How to confidently network
- Effectively professional communication
- Approaches to successful career progression
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.
16:15 – 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
Joe Craig
Joe is a communication specialist, a best-selling author, screenwriter and speaker. He’s developed communications strategies for pension schemes, investment firms, insurers and financial institutions, big and small. He specialises in compelling stories and how to craft them. In pensions, that often means stories that win people over, change how they feel, keep them interested or help them make good decisions.
Joe will be presenting on effective communication.
Andy Bounds
Andy helps companies to sell more and communicate better.
Awarded the title ‘UK’s Sales Trainer of the Year’, and described by AstraZeneca’s Global Communication Director as “a genius, whose advice can’t be ignored”, Andy’s worked all over the globe – helping some of the world’s most famous companies to be more successful.
Andy’s insights and passion stem from the fact his Mother is blind. This has given him a lifetime’s experience of communicating from someone else’s point of view… a critical skill to master when persuading others! Andy’s three books are all international best-sellers. The first was only kept off Amazon’s #1 spot by Harry Potter!
Andy will be presenting on how to network effectively.
Kemi Olaiya
Investment Practice Lead, Capita Pension Solutions
Kemi is an experienced multi skilled investment and financial services professional with 30 years in the industry, with experience ranging from retail (PEPS/ ISAs), through Custody (asset servicing and relationship management), Capital Markets (Securities Lending and Transitions), and Pensions consulting.
She has been at Capita for 7 years and, as a lifelong enthusiastic learner, has voluntarily taken on additional learning either internally or externally to support her development both personally and professionally, including recently the CMI Leadership and Management Level 5 diploma, achieving a Distinction.
Very keen on social responsibility and supporting often marginalised groups. Kemi volunteers her time with schools, charities and internally by being an active member of our Employee Engagement Groups, and is a big advocate in mentoring and advocacy.
Kemi will be speaking on career progression.
Robyn Connolly (Chair)
Associate, Travers Smith LLP
Robyn is an associate in the Travers Smith Pensions Sector Group. She has broad experience advising trustees and scheme sponsors on a variety of defined benefit and defined contribution pensions matters, including rule amendments, scheme restructurings, queries relating to historic benefits, and member and provider disputes. Robyn has also advised on a wide range of pension de-risking transactions. Robyn sits on the Society of Pension Professionals’ Early Career Professionals Group, and is a member of the Association of Pensions Lawyers.
This event is kindly being hosted by…
Burges Salmon LLP
6 New St Square
London
EC4A 3BF
Wish to join us online?
Our online audience is invited to join via Webex, with joining instructions included in your booking confirmation. The event will be live-streamed and fully interactive, allowing you to participate in the live audience Q&A.
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