SPP Event: Inclusive Futures: Voices and Vision from the Pensions Sector and Beyond
Travers Smith LLP, 3 Stonecutter St, London EC4A 4AW and Online
Thursday 16 July 2026
16:00 – 18:30
Following the launch of the SPP’s Inclusive Futures paper last year, this event seeks to raise awareness of the continued importance of DEI. With speakers from Disability Rights UK, UN Women UK, Stonewall and the Social Mobility Foundation, we will explore how the industry can:
- Lead by example, actively supporting the improvement of employment outcomes for Disabled people
- Play a transformative role by actively investing in and promoting gender equality
- Drive wider change and deliver a more inclusive future for UK pensions
Following the discussion, we invite those attending in-person to relax over drinks, informally continuing the discussion with the panel and industry colleagues.
Agenda:
- 16.00: Arrival and registration
- 16.30: Sessions begin
- 17.30: Networking reception
Please note that you don’t need to be a member of the SPP to join this event, it is free for anyone with an interest in this topic to attend.
Speakers
Tabitha Morton
Executive Director, UN Women UK
Tabitha joined UN Women UK as Chief Operating Officer in 2022, becoming Executive Director in 2023. In addition, Tabitha is Chair of domestic abuse charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse. Tabitha also served as Deputy Leader of the Women’s Equality Party and was Chief Executive of More United, a political tech driven start-up.
Tabitha made a strong call to arms in her article on gender to the SPP’s “Inclusive Futures” project last year, stating, “Gender disparities in income and employment directly translate into inequalities in pension outcomes. Women are more likely to work part-time, take career breaks to provide unpaid care, and live longer – all of which reduce lifetime pension contributions. Addressing the gender pay gap through inclusive hiring, equitable career progression, and equal pay policies will, in turn, help close the gender pensions gap. This is not only fair – it’s financially prudent in an ageing society where more women than ever are retiring into poverty.”
Kamran Mallick
Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK
Kamran Mallick joined Disability Rights UK as its Chief Executive in July 2017. He is the former Chief Executive of Action on Disability. He serves on the boards of the Lyric Hammersmith, Wheels for Wellbeing and Lloyds Bank Foundation.
Kamran contributed a passionate article on disability to the SPP’s “Inclusive Futures” project last year, stating, “The pensions industry must lead by example, actively supporting systemic changes to improve employment outcomes for disabled people…We can all be part of a national movement committed to closing the disability employment and pension gaps, making a meaningful step towards a more inclusive and equitable future.”
Sarah Atkinson
Chief Executive, The Social Mobility Foundation
Sarah Atkinson joined The Social Mobility Foundation as its Chief Executive in January 2020. The Social Mobility Foundation, a UK charity that makes a practical difference to help young people achieve their potential. Our national programme supports over 6000 low income young people with mentoring, work experience, careers advice and skills to help them access university and professional careers.
Sarah contributed an illuminating article on social mobility to the SPP’s “Inclusive Futures” project last year, stating, “White men from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are 33 times more likely to be found in senior financial services roles than women from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Clearly, talented people are struggling to succeed in finance if they don’t fit the established mould. Enabling people of all backgrounds to reach their potential isn’t just good for society, it’s one way to make up the talent shortfall for businesses.”
Simon Blake OBE
CEO, Stonewall
Simon joined Stonewall as CEO in September 2024, bringing a wealth of leadership experience in the charity and social justice space. He was previously Chief Executive at Mental Health First Aid England, a role he held from October 2018, where he was instrumental in setting the organisation’s strategic vision to improve the mental health of the nation through training and awareness.
Simon is an ambassador for the Dying Matters Campaign, organised by Hospice UK, to change the way we talk about grieving.
Simon contributed an impassioned article on LGBTQ+ to the SPP’s “Inclusive Futures” project last year, stating, “…despite overall progress, a clear picture of inequality remains which flows through to financial inequality and a LGBTQ+ pensions gap. It is against this backdrop that we are planning our futures. In the pensions industry, there is a recognition of thinking carefully about equity and inclusion in carrying out their duties.”
Daniel Gerring (Chair)
Partner, Travers Smith LLP
Daniel has been a partner at Travers Smith since 2012. From 2016 to 2023 he led Travers’ pensions practice, during which time it moved into the top tier of both Chambers and Legal 500 and won many awards, including several for its extensive work and thought leadership on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Daniel is the Client Relationship Partner for a number of Travers Smith’s largest and most high-profile clients and is also involved in the leadership of Travers Smith’s wider business. As well as sitting on its DEI Board, he led the establishment of Travers’ multi-award winning Corporate Social Responsibility programme and is its Senior LGBT+ Champion.
Daniel features in Legal 500’s Hall of Fame and ranks highly in Chambers and Partners. He has been named by Who’s Who Legal as a ‘Global Elite Thought Leader’ and has been ranked in the top 15 in OUTstanding’s top 100 LGBT+ Executives List worldwide (published by the Financial Times). He was named Mentor of the Year at the British Legal Awards and Leader of the Year at the PMI Pinnacle Awards. He is honoured to be a Leadership Fellow of St George’s House, Windsor Castle and to be a member of the Network Group for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights.
Daniel brings all of this experience to advising pension trustees and/or sponsors on all legal, regulatory and governance issues which they face, as well as advising a range of others on pensions, governance and diversity, equity and inclusion.
This event is kindly being hosted by:
Travers Smith LLP
3 Stonecutter Street
London
EC4A 4AW
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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