Richard Butcher
OpinionThe future is… consolidation?
Consolidation in the defined contribution market is booming, with master trusts sweeping smaller schemes, but questions remain about who will be the winners, writes PTL’s managing director Richard Butcher.
OpinionAt what point should schemes begin to limit transfers?
Do you remember the queues of people stood outside Northern Rock back in 2008? They were an iconic, if terrifying, emblem of the crash of that year.
OpinionMonitoring the sustainability of your scheme's investments
The science, or art, behind sustainable investment is still contentious: inevitably linked with environmental, social and governance engagement and confused with 'ethical' investment, many trustees try not to think too much about it – instead investing against short-term measures.
OpinionAre mastertrusts financially stable?
A couple of years ago Andrew Warwick-Thompson, executive director of defined contribution and public service pension schemes at the Pensions Regulator, was quoted as saying: “There are 70 mastertrusts and that’s 60 too many”.
- Opinion
What a Labour government could mean for pensions
With fewer than 100 days to go to the election, it is shaping up to be probably the most interesting in living memory, unlike any we have seen before.
- Opinion
The Budget changes were dramatic, surprising and good for DC
On March 19 I left home as a worker in the pensions industry, and 10 hours later I returned, shaken, shocked and working in the lifetime savings industry.
- Opinion
Why too many DC regulators spoil the broth
We live with two systems of regulation for occupational pension schemes.
- Opinion
Mastertrust governance: the case for the defence
Letter: On November 5 you published an article written by Morten Nilsson of Now Pensions titled 'Why not all mastertrusts deserve the name'. It was fireworks day so I assume he was deliberately attempting to light a blue touch paper!
- Opinion
Keeping members informed and happy
The governance objective for anyone running a defined contribution scheme should be to provide robust and proactive defaults, and an environment where members can make informed decisions.