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People’s Partnership appoints new Co-Heads of Real Assets

The provider of the People’s Pension1 has today announced the forthcoming appointment of two new Co-Heads of Real Assets, to lead its drive into private markets, which will include significant investment in the UK.

The appointment of Marija Simpraga and Raymond Wright means People’s Partnership will have the in-house capability needed to build on the recently announced ambition to invest 10 per cent of its growth pool assets in private markets by 2030, with substantial proportion being UK assets2.

Marija brings extensive strategic infrastructure expertise to her new role, having previously led private infrastructure research at Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), where she focused on European clean energy and digital infrastructure, guiding more than £10 billion in real asset strategies. Previously, she led European utilities equity research at Bloomberg LP, where she integrated ESG factors into financial analysis and developed tools still used across its client network.

With 22 years in pension fund management, Raymond has worked with leading industry firms, including 16 years at British Airways Pensions, where he developed expertise in investment management and portfolio oversight. Throughout his career, he has managed diverse private market assets, focusing on innovative strategies that align with ESG principles, manage risk, and drive performance across various asset classes.

People’s Partnership’s Chief Investment Officer, Dan Mikulskis said of the appointments:

“We’re delighted to announce the appointments of two highly experienced fund managers, Marija and Raymond, to lead a key area of our growing investment portfolio.

“This marks an important milestone in the ongoing expansion of the investment team for The People’s Pension, which has nearly doubled in size in just over a year. Their expertise will enable us to ensure we get the best value for our seven million members in an area which presents an exciting opportunity.”

Commenting on her appointment, Marija said:

“I’m excited to co-lead the Real Assets brief for one of the UK’s fastest growing asset owners, focusing on delivering long-term value for our members through strategic investments in real assets.

“Our goal is to develop and implement a scalable private markets strategy that generates strong, risk-adjusted returns by deploying capital in private infrastructure and real estate. We’re committed to achieving positive real-world outcomes alongside financial performance, investing in assets vital to the UK’s economic growth and energy transition.”

Raymond added:

“This is a unique opportunity to not only expand our existing portfolio but also deliver real, tangible benefits to our members by building a strong and dynamic private markets platform from the ground up.

“The investments we make will aim to provide better returns for members, while integrating ESG principles that align with their values.

“I’m looking forward to working with the team to deliver on these ambitions and create a lasting positive impact in both our members’ financial futures and in the broader community.”

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People’s Partnership Staff Raise Over £12,000 for Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove through Remarkable Fundraising Efforts

Staff at People’s Partnership1 have collectively walked over 43 million steps, contributing to the impressive total of £12,181 raised for beloved charity, Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove2.

The 1,000 employees at the leading workplace provider, based in Crawley, selected Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove as their Charity of the Year for 2024/25, committing to a year of fundraising to support the charity’s vital work.

Throughout the year, teams from People’s Partnership organised a variety of fundraising events, from step challenges that collectively covered more than 21,457 miles to Tough Mudder 2024, where 25 determined staff members conquered 18 intense obstacles, including ice baths, monkey bars, dizzying heights, mud crawls, and electric shocks.

Staff also supported Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove by putting together hampers for 200 individuals as part of their Bags of Support scheme at Christmas, as well as knitting over 300 hats during Age UK’s Big Knit campaign.

Commenting, Nicola Sinclair, Head of Responsible Business at People’s Partnership, said:

“This has been another fantastic year of fundraising. We are proud to build our future around our people and our community, and we believe in the power of giving back. Our staff’s dedication to raising funds for Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove has been truly inspiring.”

Jenny Freeman, Fundraising Manager of Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to have been People’s Partnership’s Charity of the Year for the past 12 months. Staff have supported us in so many ways, from raising funds to donating their time. We are deeply thankful for their efforts, and the donation will make a real difference in providing support to older people and pushing for changes that will improve their lives.”

Looking ahead, staff at People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension to nearly 7 million workers across the UK, have voted for St Catherine’s Hospice to be their charity partner for the next 12 months.

St Catherine’s Hospice provides expert hospice care to people in West Sussex and East Surrey, offering crucial support to families who may need to take time off work to care for loved ones. The charity is close to the hearts of many People’s Partnership employees, and with the charity currently facing financial challenges—including increasing bills and funding reductions—staff are eager to lend their support.

Nina Gopal, Strategic Partnerships Manager at St Catherine’s Hospice said:

“We’re thrilled to be chosen as Charity of the Year 2025/26 by the team at People’s Partnership. We all want the very best end of life care for our loved ones, friends and ourselves but it’s something that we don’t like to talk about. We’re extremely grateful for selection and are looking forward to working closely with People’s Partnership to deliver a fun and impactful year ahead.”

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The People’s Pension reappoints Chair of Trustee Board for extended five-year term

The People’s Pension1, the UK’s largest commercial master trust, today underlined its commitment to strong governance and stability by announcing that its Chair of Trustees, Mark Condron, will remain in post for a further five years.

The announcement of his new five-year term follows three years at the helm of the Board of Trustees, which he first joined in 2020. In Mark’s time as Chair, The People’s Pension, has become one of the country’s fastest growing asset owners and is projected to have reached £60 billion in assets under management by the end of 2030.

Mark’s reappointment comes at a pivotal time for workplace pension schemes which includes the Government focus on encouraging Funds to invest in private markets, including in the UK, and the impending introduction of Value for Money2 metrics. Earlier this year The People’s Pension announced that it planned to invest £4bn3, or 10 per cent of its growth pool assets, in private markets with substantial proportion focused on the UK, if assets are available that meet the return requirements.

In February, the Scheme also announced that it was appointing a further two asset managers, Amundi and Invesco4, to manage £28bn of its rapidly growing portfolio.

Commenting on his reappointment, Mark said:

“I’m delighted to be asked to Chair for an extended five-year term and am fully committed to helping the Scheme continue its remarkable journey as one of the fastest growing asset owners in the UK. It’s an exciting time for our seven million members as pension funds are continuing to play an increased role in the financial futures of both workers and the nation as a whole.”

Patrick Heath-Lay, Chief Executive Officer of People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension, said:

“It’s fantastic news that Mark has agreed to continue to serve as Chair of Trustees – he is exactly the right person to be chairing The People’s Pension into the next exciting stage of its journey. Strong governance lays at the heart of all good pension schemes, which is why it’s so important that Mark will lead the Trustees for the next five years, a period which promises to be hugely significant.”

During his career Mark has held a wide range of senior positions with responsibility for pensions advisory and administration businesses. He is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and an Accredited Professional Pension Trustee.

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The People’s Pension Trustee Board announces new appointment

The People’s Pension1 has today announced the appointment of experienced pensions professional, Vicky Paramour, to its Trustee Board.

Vicky has joined six existing Trustee Directors and will oversee the running of the UK’s largest commercial workplace pension scheme, which serves 6.9 million members, or 1 in 5 of the country’s workforce.

A trained pension s actuary, Vicky has over 25 years’ experience in the pensions industry and a decade of experience as a professional trustee. She has worked with a range of schemes, both defined benefit and defined contribution, across a variety of different sectors supporting them on their individual journeys. She has rich experience in pensions which includes governance solutions, scheme design, funding and investment strategy review work, and member engagement.

As well as her role on The People’s Pension Trustee Board, Vicky currently acts as Trustee Director for Lloyds Banking Group Pension Trustees where she chairs the Investment and Funding Committee, and a Trustee on the Church of England Pensions Board where she chairs the Pensions Committee.
Prior to joining The People’s Pension, Vicky was Managing Director at the Law Debenture Pensions Trusteeship and Governance business as well as previously working in a number of consulting roles at EY, WTW and Hymans Robertson.

Commenting on her appointment, Vicky said: “I’m thrilled to join the Trustee Board of The People’s Pension, the UK’s largest commercial master trust, entrusted with securing the financial futures of nearly seven million people. I look forward to working with a talented team and making a meaningful difference for our members.”

Commenting, The People’s Pension Chair of Trustees, Mark Condron said:

“The appointment of Vicky to the Trustee Board is fantastic news. With her wealth of experience in the pension’s industry and proven track record as a trustee, she will bring an invaluable new perspective to our governance. Her broad and detailed knowledge will be instrumental in helping us fulfil our mission of empowering individuals to build stronger financial foundations for the future.”

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The People’s Pension appoints Amundi and Invesco to manage £28 billion in assets

The People’s Pension1, the UK’s largest commercial master trust, has announced a major evolution as it continues to grow towards becoming a world class asset owner with the appointment of two prominent fund managers to oversee large parts of its rapidly growing investment portfolio.  

Amundi2, Europe’s largest asset manager, will manage £20 billion in passive developed market equities, while Invesco3, will take responsibility for more than £8 billion in fixed income investments for the £32 billion4 defined contribution (DC) scheme5.  

Both appointments represent a step forward in achieving greater alignment with The People’s Pension’s stewardship approach and priorities and will allow it to continue to evolve these high standards. 

The passive equity portfolio awarded to Amundi consists of five regional sleeves covering major developed markets and will continue to include climate-focused indices aligned with The People’s Pension’s responsible investment policy6.  During the selection process, Amundi showed strength in all areas of the team’s balanced scorecard, which was applied to all managers and looked for areas of excellence across six key factors: portfolio construction, people and teams, risk management and systems, firmwide considerations, responsible investment and partnership capabilities7.  

The fixed income mandate awarded to Invesco spans sovereign bonds, investment-grade credit, and high-yield bonds across the UK, US, Europe and Emerging Markets. The appointment meets The People’s Pension’s requirement for a manager that can serve as a long-term strategic partner, with experience across a range of sub-asset classes as well as being capable of delivering superior returns for members with strong access to markets which is particularly important given the scale at which the Scheme operates.

The mandate also incorporates defined maturity buckets, allowing for greater precision in managing risk and liquidity. Invesco’s approach will feature net zero alignment alongside environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis and active engagement with issuers to promote sustainable business practices while delivering robust long-term returns. 

Both new managers were selected following an extensive research and due diligence process run by the Equity and Fixed Income teams at People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension.8

This move follows the recent transition of £28 billion of assets into segregated mandates held by the Scheme’s custodian, Northern Trust, providing The People’s Pension with greater control, transparency, and flexibility in its investment approach. 

Commenting on the appointments, Dan Mikulskis, Chief Investment Officer at People’s Partnership, said: “The appointments of Amundi and Invesco are the culmination of months of work for our team, signalling a major evolution for The People’s Pension as we continue to grow and enhance our investment strategy.  As one of the fastest growing asset owners in the UK, we have a responsibility to deliver strong, sustainable returns for our members and a best-in-class investment strategy. Both managers bring exceptional expertise and share our commitment to responsible investment, which is central to our approach.” 

Mark Condron, Chair of Trustees for The People’s Pension, said: “Our move to segregated mandates alongside partnering with world-class asset managers demonstrates our ongoing commitment to being a leading force for positive member outcomes in the pensions industry. These appointments highlight The People’s Pension’s broader mission to balance strong financial performance with responsible investment principles. By selecting Amundi and Invesco, we have chosen to prioritise sustainability, active stewardship, and long-term value creation for our near seven million members.” 

Valérie Baudson, Chief Executive Officer of Amundi, said: “We are proud that The People’s Pension has chosen to partner with us and we will work with them in the best interests of British pensioners. As retirement regimes in the UK and across the globe continue to evolve, this partnership highlights Amundi’s capabilities in the fast-growing DC market.”

Tony Wong, Senior Managing Director & Co-Head of Investments at Invesco said: “We are tremendously excited to be a long-term partner for The People’s Pension in generating the best possible outcomes for the Scheme’s members by deploying the asset allocation, research and portfolio management expertise of our nearly 200 professionals in our global fixed income team.  This a testament to the strength of our global fixed income platform but also delivers the full scope of Invesco capabilities to this strategic partnership.”

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People’s Investments Limited appointed primary investment adviser to Trustee of the People’s Pension

The People’s Pension1 today revealed it has appointed People’s Investments Limited2 (PIL) as the primary investment adviser to the Trustee of the People’s Pension Master Trust.  This comes after PIL received authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). 

The UK’s biggest commercial Defined Contribution (DC) pension master trust will now have a dedicated, in-house team producing investment advice and overseeing the assets, built and developed specifically with the needs of the Trustee and members of The People’s Pension in mind.  

 This announcement comes with the growth of the investment team, overseen by Chief Investment Officer Dan Mikulskis. With 23 investment professionals set to be in place by March, Dan’s team has nearly doubled in size in little over a year. The new hires bring rich experience and expertise across banking, hedge funds, asset management, asset owners and consulting3.  

This latest announcement follows the £32 billion Scheme’s recent statement that it has now reached the scale where it is set to begin investing in private markets from later this year. The People’s Pension already invests 14 per cent of its members savings in UK-based assets within its growth stage default fund.  

PIL will continue to benefit from the expertise of investment consultants where appropriate, using consulting firms on a project basis with a panel of potential providers.  

 Mark Condron, Chair of The People’s Pension Board of Trustees, said:

“It has been great to see the development of the investment team within People’s Partnership and we believe we are now at a stage where it is appropriate for the team to take on the primary advisory role to the Trustee.   

  “We thank Barnett Waddingham for their work in this role for much of the last decade which has helped put the People’s Pension in the strong position it is today and for their support in ensuring a smooth handover as we transition to the new arrangements with the maturing of the investment capability within People’s Partnership.”  

 Dan Mikulskis said:

“This is an important stepping stone in building the foundations of a world class asset owner, projected to be overseeing £50bn within the next four years.  

  “Advising our Trustee directly will enable us to find and implement new ideas more efficiently and quickly, leaving additional value in the hands of our members. It will enable us to develop the shared bond between executive and trustee board essential to the long-term success of asset owners.”  

 Chris Fagan, Chair of The People’s Pension’s Trustee Investment Committee, said:

“I am looking forward to working together with Dan and team extremely closely over coming years to deliver great outcomes for members of the People’s Pension. A close partnership between an investment committee and in-house experts is a key part of creating a great asset owner.” 

  ENDS  

The People’s Pension appoints new Distribution Director

The People’s Pension has today announced the appointment of Stuart Reid as its new Distribution Director.

Stuart will join the UK’s biggest independent master trust in February having most recently worked at Smart Pension, where he was Director (Workplace Pension), to oversee the continued growth of The People’s Pension. During his 30-year career, Stuart has worked at major companies such as Scottish Widows and Hymans Robertson, developing a rich experience in working with Trustees and Employment Benefit Consultants (EBCs) and developing strong relationships with employers.

He joins the profit for people organisation at a time when The People’s Pension has recently said it is set to begin investing in private markets this year, having reached £30 billion assets under management four months ago.

Stuart Reid said: “I’m thrilled to be joining such a purpose-led organisation, which has a proven track record in driving societal change. I look forward to leading a talented team and building on the huge success that People’s Partnership has enjoyed over the past decade. It’s such an exciting time for defined contribution funds, especially those with the rapidly growing scale like The People’s Pension offers to its 6.9 million members and over 100,000 employers.”

David Meliveo, Chief Commercial Officer at People’s Partnership, provider of The People’s Pension, said: “We are genuinely delighted to bring Stuart on board as he has a rich experience of working in consultancies, insurance and pension providers, and that breadth of almost 30 years’ knowledge will really help The People’s Pension continue to grow in all parts of the workplace benefits market.”

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The People’s Pension targets investing up to £4 billion into private market assets 

The People’s Pension1 has today revealed that it is set to start investing a significant proportion of the £31bn of assets it manages into private markets later this year, with a target to grow this allocation to £4bn by 2030.  

The nation’s biggest independent pension master trust says it is preparing to take its first steps into private market investment in the coming months with the imminent appointment of a Private Markets specialist and creation of a research capability. A substantial part of this new allocation of assets could be deployed in the UK, if assets are available that meet the return requirements. 

It is expected that over time The Trustees of The People’s Pension will target allocating up to 10 per cent of growth pool assets – or £4 billion2 – ­by 2030, initially in assets such as infrastructure and real estate. The Scheme has said this allocation will be dependent on it being able to access a ‘dependable pipeline’ of good quality investable assets that meet its return requirements at a fee level that leaves the benefits in the hands of members, and with the right operational structures in place.   

This latest announcement follows the £31 billion Scheme’s statement last year that it has now reached the scale to deploy meaningfully into private markets. The People’s Pension already invests 14 per cent of its members savings in UK-based assets within its growth stage default fund. 

Mark Condron, Chair of The People’s Pension Board of Trustees, said:

“What we are announcing today is a significant step forward on the path towards The People’s Pension investing in private markets, including key parts of the UK economy. 

“We are demonstrating how a responsible asset owner, operating at the right scale, can invest in both the best interests of its members and to the benefit of the wider economy in which they work.” 

Rachel Reeves MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“Growing the economy is the number one mission of the Government. This public commitment from one of the UK’s largest independent pension master trusts to invest here, at home in Britain, will help drive economic growth and support our milestone of improving living standards across the UK.”

Patrick Heath-Lay, Chief Executive Officer of People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension, said:  

“We’re at a pivotal time for UK pensions with the government indicating a direction of travel toward scale and value for savers. As an independent £31bn master trust, without shareholders, we believe that now is the time to increase our investment in private assets for the benefit of our savers and the growth of the UK economy. The People’s Pension has a vital role to play in this exciting plan for the future of UK retirement savings.” 

Dan Mikulskis, Chief Investment Officer of People’s Partnership, said:

“As one of the fastest growing asset owners in the UK, our in-house investment expertise has grown significantly over the last 12 months and this journey will continue with the imminent appointment of a private markets’ specialist, broadening our investment reach. 

“In order for us to invest in private markets over this period it’s critical that the wider investment community, with support of the Government, provide a dependable pipeline of investable opportunities which deliver good value for our 6.8 million savers.” 

ENDS 

People’s Partnership appoints new Customer Solutions Director

People’s Partnership has today announced the appointment of Victoria Willmott as Customer Solutions Director.

Victoria will join the leading workplace pension provider in January having previously worked at Coutts, where she was Head of Client Journey. In a 20-year career in customer relations and operations, she has held a number of senior roles and has previously worked at Barclays Bank and Deloitte.

She joins the provider of The People’s Pension at a time when it has surpassed £30 billion assets under management and has unveiled a number of recent improvements to its customer journey, including a new member app. Her role at People’s Partnership, which looks after the retirement savings of one in five of the UK workforce, will include overseeing service delivery to both its 6.8 million members and the 100,000 plus employers as well as client banking and charitable trust operations.

Commenting on her appointment, Victoria said: “I am delighted to be joining such a purpose-driven organisation with a strong track record of putting its members at the heart of everything it does. The People’s Partnership’s impressive growth, underpinned by its commitment to delivering excellence and exceptional member outcomes truly resonates with me.  With such an exciting future ahead, I look forward to contributing to its mission and collaborating with my new colleagues to further enhance the customer experience.

Angela Staral, Chief Operating Officer at People’s Partnership, said: “Victoria’s appointment is fantastic news for both the members and employers we serve. Her leadership and extensive experience will be instrumental in driving both transformational change and continuous improvement in the service we deliver to our members to help them build stronger financial foundations.”

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People’s Partnership appoints new Director of Customer Engagement

People’s Partnership1, the UK’s leading workplace pension provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Allie Jenkin as its new Director of Customer Engagement.

Allie joins the company with over 20 years of experience in client-facing roles, having held senior leadership positions at Vanguard and Coutts. Leading People’s Partnership’s Customer Engagement operations, overseeing both the customer support hub and guidance teams, she will play a pivotal role in ensuring the company continues to deliver exceptional customer service.

Allie brings extensive expertise in crafting client service strategies, innovation, and scaling operations. Most recently, she served as Head of Client Service and Operations at Vanguard UK, where she was instrumental in developing and growing the company’s direct-to-consumer business and led transformational and large-scale programmes.

Her appointment at People’s Partnership comes at a significant time for the company, while the pension industry undergoes rapid changes. Allie commented on her appointment, saying:

“I am incredibly excited to join at such a crucial time for the company. I live by the philosophy ‘get the brilliant basics right and you can then earn the license to do more,’ and in this new role, there is a real opportunity to deliver great outcomes for customers by focussing on innovative engagement strategies.

“The team’s passion for pensions and its members is infectious, and I am honoured to be part of this leading organisation as we continue to grow.”

Angela Staral, Chief Operating Officer at People’s Partnership, shared her enthusiasm for Allie’s appointment, saying:

“Allie’s passion for client excellence is remarkable. She has a strong mission and purpose, both personally and in the business world. This role requires leadership and a transformational drive to positively impact customer outcomes, helping members make better informed decisions about their future.”

ENDS