The Future of DC
Saving Better – Investing Smarter – Retiring Stronger
EVENT OVERVIEW
As the UK’s defined contribution system enters a period of profound transition, the 2026 DC Growth & Retirement Summit confronts the forces reshaping how savers build and draw on their pension wealth.
From the Government’s evolving Value for Money framework and accelerating consolidation agenda to the rise of guided retirement solutions and the practical realities of mandation, schemes are being asked to deliver clearer support, stronger outcomes and more resilient investment strategies.
Delegates will explore how geopolitical uncertainty, member anxiety and widening adequacy gaps demand better communication, smarter use of technology, especially AI, and a renewed focus on engagement at the moments that matter. With private markets, productive finance and climate‑related risks now central to long‑term value creation, we will examine how trustees can invest for both future income and the future world members will retire into.
Above all, the Summit asks a critical question: how do we design DC systems that meet members where they are: reluctant decision‑makers seeking confidence, simplicity and security while enabling innovation that genuinely improves retirement outcomes.
The conference will be highly interactive, with open, thought-provoking debate, encouraging participants to engage actively throughout.
EVENT INFO
VENUE
This year’s DC Growth & Retirement Summit will be held at the Grand Connaught Rooms 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
09:00 - 09:15
Registration & Refreshments
Networking Activity | Foyer
Devil’s Advocates Panel
Nicolas Firzli
Director General
World Pensions Council
Our morning Devil’s Advocates will challenge speakers with incisive questions throughout the sessions and present their key reflections and takeaways just before lunch.
09:15 - 09:22
Welcome & Introduction
Opening Remarks | Auditorium
Programme Director:
Stephen Glover
Founder & Director
SG Pensions Enterprise
09:22 - 09:35
Mind Management - The Missing Skillset for Optimum Engagement
Mini Workshop | Auditorium
09:35 - 09:45
Introduction from the Chair
Opening Remarks | Auditorium
Event Chair:
David Porter
Head of Investment Delivery
People's Pension
09:45 - 10:10
Building a Better Pensions System
Keynote Presentation | Auditorium
The keynote will explore how sweeping UK pension reforms — from the 2026 Pension Schemes Act to Value for Money and Pensions Commission initiatives — are driving tougher performance scrutiny, greater scale and efficiency, and reshaping DC scheme design, retirement outcomes, and member experience.
10:10 - 10:50
Powering DC Savings Adequacy
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
Moderator:
David Porter
Head of Investment Delivery
People's Pension
This panel will tackle the challenge of DC savings adequacy, exploring how policy reform, stronger engagement and practical measures to increase contributions can help deliver meaningful improvements in retirement outcomes.
10:50 - 11:10
Stop being Shocked by "Shocks"
Presentation | Auditorium
This session will explore how geopolitical tensions, including the Iran conflict, are reshaping the DC investment landscape through inflation, interest rate shifts and regional divergence, and what trustees and providers must consider when managing portfolios in a more uncertain environment.
11:10 - 11:35
Networking Break
Networking Activity | Foyer
11:35 - 12:00
The Psychology of Saving in an Uncertain World
Presentation | Auditorium
This session will examine how psychological traits and real-world financial pressures — intensified by geopolitical uncertainty — shape saving behaviours, revealing why individuals respond so differently to today’s challenging environment and what this means for improving retirement outcomes.
12:00 - 12:40
Optimising Investment Performance - Powering Growth, Securing Resilience
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
Moderator:
Chris Hitchen
Chair
Nuclear Liabilities Fund
This panel will explore where the next generation of DC investment returns is likely to emerge, examining how private markets, infrastructure, global equities and active fixed income can be combined through high-conviction, diversified strategies to deliver stronger long-term outcomes for members.
12:40 - 13:00
A Key Challenge - Scaling Private Equity in DC
Presentation | Auditorium
Alan Coffey
Director, Private Companies - Growth Equity
Baillie Gifford
13:00 - 13:10
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.
13:10 - 13:55
Lunch
Devil’s Advocates Panel
Lesley Carline
Director
KGC Associates
Martyn James
Director of Investment
now:pensions
Sophia Singleton
Head of DC
XPS Pensions Group
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.
13:55 - 14:15
CDC Comes of Age – Investment Implementation
Fireside Chat | Auditorium
This session will explore how CDC schemes can provide more stable retirement outcomes through pooled longevity and market risk, while examining the governance, investment and operational frameworks needed for effective implementation.
14:15 - 14:35
Guided Income – Building Better Bridges Through Retirement
Presentation | Auditorium
This session will highlight the impact of sequencing risk on retirement outcomes and outline practical strategies to balance growth and protection, helping members navigate drawdown and market volatility with greater confidence.
14:35 - 15:15
Retiring into a World Worth Living In
Roundtable Discussions | Auditorium
Helen Ball
Partner
Sackers
Robert Branagh
Non Executive Director
The Pensions Ombudsman
Mark Hedges
Trustee Director
Nationwide Pension Fund
Brian Henderson
Independent Trustee
Jo Waldron
Trustee Director
Prudential Staff Pension Scheme
This interactive roundtable session will explore how UK pension schemes can balance long-term financial returns with climate, nature and societal risks, debating their role in shaping a sustainable retirement future and where responsibility ultimately lies across trustees, providers, employers and government.
Table discussions are led by Moderators and key conclusions shared with the wider conference.
Sponsored by LCP
15:15 - 15:40
Networking Break
Networking Activity | Foyer
15:40 - 16:00
Retirement is a Journey – Not a Date
Presentation | Auditorium
This session will explore how DC schemes can create seamless, guided pathways from accumulation into retirement by combining flexible income, continued investment growth and later-life security to meet diverse and changing member needs.
16:00 - 16:40
Guided Retirement and the Future of Retirement Income
Panel Discussion | Auditorium
This panel will examine how guided retirement under the Pension Schemes Act 2026 is reshaping decumulation, comparing income models and trade-offs to define effective default pathways while addressing the communication challenges of supporting member decisions.
Sponsored by Insight Investment
Sponsored by Just Group
16:40 - 17:05
From Vision to Reality – The Future of DC Delivery
Presentation | AUDITORIUM
Angela Staral
Chief Operating Officer
People's Pension
This closing keynote will bring together the day’s key themes to examine the practical governance, operational and regulatory challenges that must be overcome to turn DC pension innovation into a scalable, member-focused system that delivers better retirement outcomes in practice.
17:05 - 17:15
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.
17:15 - 17:20
Chair's Summary
Closing Remarks | AUDITORIUM
The Chair will conclude the day’s proceedings and reflect on the various opinions discussed throughout the day.
17:20 - 19:00
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
Click on images for more information
Venue
Grand Connaught Rooms
This event will be held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
Plan your journey via Transport for London.
Travel & Access
Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly) & Holborn (Central) - 5 mins walk
Nat Rail: King's Cross St Pancras & Euston (30 mins)