Articles and publications

Being ‘active’ pays – December 2018

Tim Giles explains how being ‘active’ can help to improve your pension scheme’s returns. First published in Pensions Age.

The secret to success – September 2018

Tim Giles of Aon explains why being ‘active’ is key to improving your pension scheme’s outcomes in this article, first published in Professional Pensions.

Portfolio prepared? – September 2018

Aon is helping to prepare decision-makers at defined benefit pension schemes to meet the challenges ahead. Read a write-up of the discussions at our recent event with Portfolio Institutional, along with Sion Cole’s views on why schemes should be actively seeking returns.

An ideal pension scheme investment model?

Taking a fresh look at the UK DB pension scheme investment model.

Unlocking the Efficiencies of an Investment Platform

How £1bn+ DB schemes can benefit from operational infrastructures.

Good governance can impact the success of a pension scheme - February 2017

Can the learnings from the largest schemes in the UK benefit schemes of all sizes? In this paper, we delve into the theme of good governance and its impact on the success of pension schemes. It examines what success looks like and sets out how this might be achieved by schemes of all sizes.

Seeing the full picture - February 2017

Fiduciary management is one of the fastest growing areas within the UK defined benefit pensions industry. Since coming to the UK over a decade ago, the solution has evolved significantly and is set to continue in the future. In this guide, we look at how fiduciary management has evolved in terms of choice, transparency & outcomes.

UK Pension Scheme Investment Governance - August 2016

Can the learnings from the largest schemes in the UK benefit schemes of all sizes. In this paper, we give an overview of the common themes identified from our research, including governance structures, investment beliefs, costs and cost management and in house versus outsourced investment arrangements.

An introduction to Fiduciary Management - February 2016

This guide provides a definition of fiduciary management, explains its rise in popularity and highlights the opportunities and challenges that it presents for trustees. It also includes a list of what to look for in a delegated provider, 20 questions that trustees might like to consider with their colleagues and has a glossary to explain key terms.

Fiduciary insights at your fingertips − February 2015

This collection of our recent whitepapers, articles and videos gives you all the information you need on fiduciary management in one document, dispelling some commonly-held myths about a fiduciary management approach.

Performance league tables are not suitable for fiduciary management − November 2014

Fiduciary management is now an established investment and governance solution, with a strong presence in the UK pensions market for over five years. But a number of misconceptions around this approach persist. One such misconception focuses on the topic of performance league tables. While there have been calls by some in the industry to use these for fiduciary management, this white paper examines why league tables for fiduciary management can be not only inappropriate but also misleading.

Fiduciary management: success story or failing fad? - June 2014

Is fiduciary management proving to be a success story, delivering on its promises? Or could it be deemed to be a failing fad, not providing the key stakeholders with the pensions stability they require or expected? In this paper we look at five key reasons why individual fiduciary management solutions could be seen to be failing, and how they can be overcome, or avoided from the outset.

The evolution of pension scheme investing: looking beyond DGFs to fiduciary management - April 2014

In this paper we look at the evolution of pension scheme investing from the 'equity only' days through to diversified growth funds (DGFs) and to the more recent development of fiduciary management solutions. Each of the approaches we discuss has ticked a number of items on the 'investment shopping list' but is this enough? Fiduciary management is one solution to the challenges currently facing UK pension schemes. Not only can it 'tick all the boxes' but, perhaps most importantly, it offers a tailored solution focused on funding levels and on closing pension scheme deficits.

A comprehensive guide to selecting a fiduciary manager - February 2014

In this latest white paper we have drawn together our series of papers released during Autumn 2013, producing a comprehensive guide to selecting a fiduciary manager. This includes the six key steps and arming trustees with the key questions to ask , helping you to select the fiduciary manager that is right for your specific scheme.

Understanding the fees charged within fiduciary management - January 2014

In this latest white paper we look at the different elements of the fees charged within fiduciary management, the structure of them and how trustees and sponsors can go about comparing providers' fees. We also look to address the highly topical question, 'Are fiduciary fees actually more expensive?'.

Understanding benchmarks and performance measurement within fiduciary management - October 2013

In this latest fiduciary white paper we look at the different benchmark options trustees will need to consider for each 'flavour' of fiduciary management, the importance of an appropriate benchmark and why it is difficult to directly compare fiduciary providers' performance.