Private Markets & the Future of UK Pensions
EVENT OVERVIEW
This year’s forum brings together asset owners, policymakers, industry leaders and key advisers to explore how pension investment in private markets can drive better member outcomes and potentially national growth.
Against the backdrop of the Mansion House reforms, the Pensions Investment Review, the Pension Schemes Bill and evolving regulatory frameworks, the agenda tackles the practical realities of scaling private market allocations across DC, private DB and LGPS schemes.
It will include a series of presentations highlighting the special opportunities driven by UK research, innovation, and thought leadership across several key sectors.
The conference will be highly interactive, with open, thought-provoking content, encouraging participants to engage and contribute proactively throughout.
EVENT INFO
VENUE
The Private Markets Pensions Investment Forum will be held at Plaisterers’ Hall in London.
Attendance to the event is FREE for pension funds, employers, government representatives.
There is a modest fee for asset managers and consultants. You can contact us if you have any queries.
CPD
This event qualifies for 6 hours and 40 minutes of CPD credit. You can request CPD credit for the event when you register.
AGENDA
09:30 - 09:45
Registration & Refreshments
Networking Activity | Foyer | 09:30 – 09:45
Devil’s Advocates Panel
Sonia Bluzmanis
Head of Research – External Equities, Rest Super
Our morning Devil’s Advocates will challenge speakers with incisive questions throughout the sessions and present their key reflections and takeaways just before lunch.
09:30 - 09:45
Welcome & Introduction
Opening Remarks | Auditorium
Event Chair:
Mark Thompson
Chair of Trustees, M&G Pension Scheme
Programme Director:
Stephen Glover
Founder & Director
SG Pensions Enterprise
09:45 - 10:15
The Opportunities for Private Markets Investing in the UK
Keynote Presentation | Auditorium
This session examines the UK’s evolving private markets landscape — highlighting comparative advantages, structural barriers, and the policy conditions needed to unlock long-term international investment and position the UK as a global hub for private capital.
10:15 - 10:55
Aligning Policy Ambition with Pension Fund Reality
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
This panel explores the growing tension between political ambition and fiduciary duty as UK policymakers push for greater domestic private market investment, examining whether pension schemes can align government expectations with member outcomes while still achieving impact and competitive performance.
10:55 - 11:15
UK Special Opportunity 1 - Social Housing
Presentation | Auditorium
This session outlines why social housing offers pension schemes stable, inflation-linked, long-duration returns with measurable social impact, highlighting the most effective strategies for accessing resilient investment opportunities in a sector backed by urgent need and supportive government policy.
11:15 - 11:40
Networking Break
Networking Activity | Foyer
11:40 - 12:20
LGPS - The Transition & Private Markets
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
Guy Opperman
Former Pensions Minister
UK Government
This panel examines how LGPS pooling is reshaping private markets investing—transforming governance, fees, risk management and access to sophisticated strategies—while unlocking new opportunities for direct and local investment.
12:20 - 12:40
UK Special Opportunities 2 - Life Sciences
Presentation | Auditorium
This session explores the UK’s high-growth life sciences sector as a major opportunity for long-term investors, outlining the practical investment routes— from specialist funds to private equity, venture capital and listed equities—available to pension schemes seeking exposure to this innovation-driven industry.
12:40 - 12:50
Devil’s Advocates Summary
The Devil’s Advocates will give their summary of the main debating points, conclusions and action points from the morning sessions.
12:50 - 13:40
Lunch
Devil’s Advocates Panel
Throughout the afternoon, our panel of Devil’s Advocates will challenge speakers with thought-provoking questions and close the day by sharing their key insights and takeaways from the discussions.
13:40 - 14:20
Private Markets in DC – Balancing Ambition, Duty & Impact
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
Veronica Humble
Chief Investment Officer, NatWest Cushon
Rob O'Carroll
Deputy Director - Automatic Enrolment & DC Pensions Policy, Department for Work & Pensions
This panel examines how UK DC schemes can integrate private markets into their investment strategies in the wake of the Mansion House Accord, balancing fiduciary duty with innovation as speakers explore meaningful allocation levels, long-term value, sustainability goals, and the practical frameworks needed for successful adoption.
14:20 - 14:40
VC vs PE – That is the Question
Presentation | Auditorium
This session explores the distinct roles of private equity and venture capital in pension portfolios, outlining how PE delivers reliable, mid-teen returns while VC offers higher-risk, high-growth potential — and why a blend of both may best balance security and innovation.
14:40 - 15:20
Fees, Valuations & Structures – The Complications of Private markets
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
This panel explores why valuation practices, fee structures and fund design are central to private markets investing, examining how trustees can navigate complexity and data to ensure transparent, fair and sustainable outcomes for members.
15:20 - 15:45
Networking Break
Networking Activity | Foyer
15:45 - 16:05
UK Special Opportunity 3 – Private Credit
Presentation | Auditorium
This session explores the rapid growth of private credit and its rising role in UK pension portfolios, assessing how schemes can access diverse lending opportunities to capture strong risk-adjusted returns while balancing liquidity needs and long-term resilience.
16:05 - 16:45
The Critical Decision Factors in Private Markets Investing
Roundtable Discussions | Auditorium
Roundtable Facilitator:
Shalin Bhagwan
Chief Actuary, Pension Protection Fund
This interactive session brings asset owners together to debate the key decision factors shaping private market allocations—from fiduciary duty and hurdle rates to valuation, liquidity, scale and vehicle choice—culminating in table-wide conclusions on the viability of private markets across LGPS, DB and DC schemes.
16:45 - 17:05
UK Special Opportunity 4 – Infrastructure & the Energy Transition
Presentation | AUDITORIUM
This session explores the UK’s vast infrastructure and energy-transition opportunity, outlining the most compelling strategies for pension schemes to access stable, inflation-linked returns while supporting the nation’s net-zero goals.
17:05 - 17:35
From Innovation to Impact – Unlocking the UK's Economic Future
Closing Presentation | Auditorium
This session makes the case for transforming the UK’s world-leading innovation in fintech, life sciences, AI, quantum and more into long-term national prosperity, arguing that political reform, public–private partnership and better links between invention and investment are essential to avoid past mistakes and unlock sustained economic growth.
17:35 - 17:45
Devil’s Advocates Summary
The Devil’s Advocates will give their summary of the main debating points, conclusions and action points from the afternoon session.
17:45 - 17:55
Chair's Summary
Closing Remarks | AUDITORIUM
The Chair will conclude the day’s proceedings and reflect on the various opinions discussed throughout the day.
17:55 - 19:15
Drinks Reception
Networking Activity | Foyer
Following conclusion of the conference, delegates are invited to stay for drinks and network with fellow members of the industry.
Sponsors
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Venue
Plaisterers' Hall
This event will be held at Plaisterers’ Hall in London.
Plan your journey via Transport for London.
Travel & Access
Tube: St Paul's (Central) - 5 mins; Mansion House (Circle / District) - 10 mins
Nat Rail: City Thameslink (Elizabeth / Thameslink) - 5 mins