Investing Through Permanent Disruption – DB Industry roundtable

A roundtable for senior DB professionals on resilience, risk and long-term decision-making

In a world shaped by geopolitical instability, technological disruption, changing demographics and climate-related challenges, defined benefit pension schemes are facing a broader and more interconnected set of risks than ever before.

Join us for an industry roundtable, hosted by financial journalist Georgie Frost, bringing together leading voices from across pensions, investment and public policy to explore the issues shaping the future of defined benefit pension schemes.

Taking place on Thursday 1 October at One America Square, London, this interactive afternoon will combine expert insight, audience discussion and a live podcast recording, creating a forum for trustees, sponsors and advisers to unpack some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing schemes today. Chatham house rules apply.

12:30 to 16:30pm, 01 October at One America Square in the City of London. Spaces are limited.

Georgie Frost, Financial Journalist & Host

Georgie Frost is an award-winning financial journalist and broadcaster with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, consumer affairs and business. She is best known as host of the award-winning This is Money podcast and for her work as Editor-at-Large at Times Money Mentor, helping audiences make sense of complex financial issues.

Georgie will serve as host for the day.

Morten Nilsson, CEO, Brightwell

Morten Nilsson is a senior pensions and financial services leader with more than 20 years’ experience in pensions and financial services. As Chief Executive Officer of Brightwell, he oversees the delivery of investment, administration and technology services for pension schemes and sponsors.

Morten previously held senior roles at Denmark’s ATP pension scheme before founding and leading NOW: Pensions, one of the UK’s largest defined contribution pension providers. He is also Chair of pensions technology provider Procentia and is recognised for his leadership across the pensions industry.

Wyn Francis, CIO, Brightwell

Wyn Francis is a senior investment professional with more than 20 years’ experience spanning investment strategy, risk management and pension scheme funding.

As Chief Investment Officer at Brightwell, he leads the development and delivery of investment strategies for pension scheme clients and oversees the firm’s investment activities. He is also recognised for his expertise in integrated risk management, helping schemes manage investment, funding and covenant risks to support long-term outcomes.

Sir David Lidington, Former Cabinet Minister and Consultant at H/Advisors

Sir David Lidington is a former Cabinet Minister and one of the UK’s most experienced voices on government, geopolitics and international affairs. Over a parliamentary career spanning more than 27 years, he served in a number of senior Cabinet positions, including Minister for Europe, Lord Chancellor and Deputy to the Prime Minister.

Now Senior Counsel at H/Advisors UK, he advises organisations on geopolitical developments, policy risk and the implications of global change for business and investors.

Thomas Mucha, Geopolitical Strategist, Wellington

Thomas Mucha is a geopolitical strategist at Wellington Management, where he specialises in analysing the macroeconomic and market implications of geopolitical risk. As a member of Wellington’s Global Macro Strategy Group, he helps investors understand how global political, economic and security developments can influence long-term investment outcomes.

Before joining Wellington in 2015, Thomas was an award-winning journalist covering international business, economics and geopolitics for organisations including CNN and GlobalPost.

Mark Watts, Partner, LCP

Mark Watts is a Partner in LCP’s investment team, where he supports the provision of solutions for clients as they grapple with the energy transition and the path to net zero. Over the years, Mark has worked with a wide range of clients around the world, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, family offices, insurance companies, endowments and corporates.

During his career, Mark has lived and worked in both the US and the Middle East and has held CIO and CEO roles at a number of firms. He has served on several boards and has also chaired the Risk and Audit Committee and the Responsible Investment Working Group of the FCA’s DB and DC Pension Plans.

Kir Nuthi, Head of AI and Data, techUK

Kir Nuthi holds over seven years of Government Affairs and Tech Policy experience in the US and UK. Kir previously headed up the regulatory portfolio at a UK advocacy group for tech startups and held various public affairs in US tech policy. All involved policy research and campaigns on competition, artificial intelligence, access to data, and pro-innovation regulation.

Kir has an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA in both Political Science (International Relations) and Economics from the University of California San Diego. Outside of techUK, you are likely to find her attempting studies at art galleries, attempting an elusive headstand at yoga, mending and binding books, or chasing her dog Maya around South London’s many parks.