Editorial: Leonardo DiCaprio finally collected his first Oscar for best actor at the recent Academy Awards ceremony, but in our view the red carpet should not just be reserved for Hollywood greats.
Even if it is not televised, we are at least as excited about our 17 annual Pension and Investment Provider Awards.
The deadline for entering the PIPAs or nominating an industry champion was on Friday, and we hope you have submitted to show where your company has been standing out from the crowd.
The PIPAs recognise excellence across investment and scheme services in categories such as multi-asset funds, derisking provider and auto-enrolment consultant, and boast some of the industry’s most seasoned experts as judges.
The preparations for the awards are in full swing, with the judges appointed and ready to examine, discuss, praise and criticise the performance, innovation and service of consultants, asset managers, administrators and all the people striving to give members the best outcomes.
The submissions we have received this year show a high level of achievement, and the judging sessions look set to be interesting. We have even had a surprise entry from overseas.
But there is no time to rest on any laurels anytime soon; as everyone is waiting with bated breath to hear what further changes the chancellor might spring on the industry, the only thing that seems certain is that change is what he wants, if not now, then later.
For some years now pensions have become more decoupled from the sponsoring employer in the sense of being overseen by trustees linked to the company, and moved into the retail space.
This trend is set to continue with auto-enrolment, the demise of defined benefit and the introduction of freedom and choice.
With so much change it will be interesting to see what new categories we will have to add to the PIPAs next year. Best lifetime Isa provider could be one of them.