It’s taken me a little while to put ‘pen to paper’ after the Pensions UK Conference in Manchester earlier this month, mainly because I came straight back to a flurry of client award entry fun and frolics (she says, with a smile firmly painted on). But we’re in, and ready for the next ones…
Anyway, back to Manchester.
There are three words that stuck with me above all others from the three days of sessions, discussions, and catch-ups. They came from Rt Honourable David Blunkett, in his opening speech on the final day:
“Bold, decisive action.”
He wasn’t just talking about pensions, though it fits us perfectly, but also about life and leadership more broadly. His point was clear: too much is lost, and too much time wasted, because of inertia.
And it got me thinking.
In an industry that often feels like it never stops moving, why do we still struggle to take bold, decisive action? Do we even recognise that we do, or don’t? Maybe it’s because things move too much, the goalposts constantly shift, new regulations appear faster than you can say “consultation paper”, and uncertainty can make even the most confident decision-maker hesitate.
But is that really the reason? Or just a convenient excuse?
There’s a lot of pressure right now for dashboards to deliver. They’re often presented, across the provider chain, as the answer to many of the industry’s challenges. Let’s hope they do, because the appetite for change is certainly there and I’d be slightly concerned as to where it leaves us if they don’t. It was encouraging, though, to hear so much discussion around ESG, social responsibility and emotional connections – not just with members’ own circumstances but with investments and principles.
Given the conference was branded as ‘2030 ready’, there was a clear focus on looking forward to where we need to be and what we need to get there. Without that bold, decisive action we have to ask ourselves whether its truly achievable.
On a lighter note, it wasn’t all deep reflection and industry insight. I managed to catch up with friends and colleagues, both old and new, built myself a Lego Kate, attended a wonderful client dinner, and collected enough branded pads and pens to last until next year (and enough water bottles to keep the kids hydrated until they leave home).
It was a really great few days – thought-provoking, energising, and, once again, I was reminded what a fantastically varied and important industry we work in. Even after all these years (ahem), there’s always something new to discuss, debate, and learn, and that’s exactly what keeps it exciting.
Written by Kate, Founder KBPR
