Category Archives: IGC

“Vantage is value” – but relative to what? Hargreaves Lansdown’s IGC report

Posted on April 18, 2017 by henry tapper

I’m pleased that after a really poor first IGC report, the Hargreaves Lansdown IGC have taken producing their 2017 report, more seriously. A smooth operator If there was such a thing as a premium workplace pension, the Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can pensions be more playful (please)!

Posted on April 18, 2017 by henry tapper

  I’ve waded through a number of IGC chair reports this Easter weekend and a smile has seldom  been on my lips. With the exception of the Virgin Money report, I hardly felt I knew who I was talking to. Ironically, … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, pension playpen, pensions, Personality | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Old Mutual IGC – “impotent and bed rid”

Posted on April 17, 2017 by henry tapper

    Last year I was enthusiastic about the Old Mutual Wealth (OMW) IGC. I am afraid my enthusiasm has turned to world-weary scepticism that the IGC packs a punch sufficient to push much forward for the members of the various … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fidelity – a cold fish of an IGC report.

Posted on April 15, 2017 by henry tapper

Reading the Fidelity IGC report, I struggled to find the missing ingredient that would make me want to read the next one.  Reading it again, I think it may be “passion”. The report is stunningly correct, Fidelity is the only … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Phoenix and the Hare bear bunch!

Posted on April 1, 2017 by henry tapper

Last year I gave the Phoenix IGC chair report three greens out of three- the only report to get a “clear round”. It doesn’t quite make the double this year, but this is another excellent report which should be required … Continue reading →

Posted in actuaries, IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Activism over activity – we want effective asset management.

Posted on November 22, 2016 by henry tapper

Reading the FCA’s Asset Management Market Study, you’d be tempted to give up on active asset management (to be frank you might to give up on investment funds altogether). Daniel Godfrey has a piece in the FT claiming that the … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, investment, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paul Trickett – a big thank you!

Posted on August 4, 2016 by henry tapper

I understand that Paul Trickett is joining Aviva as a Director of the Life Company. Paul tells me he has resigned his posts as Chair of the Trustees of the Zurich  Staff Pension Scheme and of the L&G Master Trust. … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

True Potential for a good IGC report.

Posted on May 31, 2016 by henry tapper

  A little tardy (but not as tardy as fellow auto-enrolment SIPP, Intelligent money, True Potential has produced its IGC report, you can read it here. You would have to be good at web navigation and persevering, to find it. I … Continue reading →

Posted in governance, IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Insurers – VFM and the Competition Commission.

Posted on April 26, 2016 by henry tapper

  The FT Adviser magazine has published a short piece leaking a story that has been doing the rounds for a few weeks. It would appear that the insurers who have been subject to the scrutiny of an independent governance … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To understand value, get a grip on price

Posted on April 24, 2016 by henry tapper

Workplace pensions are not priced as they seem. When an employer chooses a workplace pension, he/she sees member borne charges and employer charges. The employer charges are paid by the employer as fees (anything from £0 -£1200 pa, member borne … Continue reading →

Posted in IGC, investment, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments