Tag Archives: Standard Life

Standard Life- welcome to Sage’s digital “Data Exchange”!

Posted on May 31, 2017 by

I’m very pleased to see Standard Life’s announcement that its “Good to go” proposition is now part of Sage’s Data Exchange initiative. The news grabs headlines in the Scotsman and it should be headline news down south as well! Employer’s … Continue reading →

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Radical thoughts about “value for money” – from Julius Pursaill (aka mystery blogger)

Posted on April 21, 2017 by

  Establishing a consensus on what “value for money” is, is proving too hard for the IGCs and Trustees, we need intervention from a “deus ex machina” (aka the FCA). Once we know the means to measure, I believe the … Continue reading →

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Ombudsman 1 – Freedom 0

Posted on April 13, 2017 by

It would seem that Mr T (neither of the A-team or of this blog) has been sent packing by the Pensions Ombudsman. Mr T sued Standard Life’s staff pension trustees to max-up his CETV. He did so using an online … Continue reading →

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Who’s kidding whom – on DC pension governance?

Posted on March 24, 2017 by

I was “privileged” to spend a whole day with one of the many employer groups we have in Britain.  This meeting brought together Directors (especially FDs and Heads of HR) of  Research and Technology organisations. When I say privileged – … Continue reading →

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Standard Life’s IGC Statement – two greens and a red!

Posted on March 22, 2017 by

The Standard Life IGC’s chair report was published on Friday. You can find it here https://www.standardlife.co.uk/c1/independent-governance-committee.page. As a note to Standard Life, it would be good if this report could be given more prominence on your home page, you can … Continue reading →

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What’s Standard Aberdeen to the consumer?

Posted on March 6, 2017 by

Whether the Standard Aberdeen deals goes ahead or not, it’s quite clear that active fund managers are feeling the pinch and that consolidation will follow. Here’s one commentator in the FT summing the deal up.  “The collective headwinds for the … Continue reading →

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If past performance doesn’t matter- what does?

Posted on December 9, 2016 by

Performance measurement is a deeply unpopular science. If there is one phrase that financial services has given to popular parlance it’s that “Past performance is no guide to the future” This worthy sentiment would ring hollow to the person transferring … Continue reading →

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“The best way forward or the NEST way forward?”

Posted on July 28, 2016 by

If you are an employer and you have made a decision, there is no liability—that is clear in the legislation. If you have decided to go with NEST rather than NOW: or People’s, there is no liability that can fall … Continue reading →

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Property , liquidity and the merit of doing nothing

Posted on July 6, 2016 by

News that Standard Life , M&G (the Pru) and Aviva have put up the shutters on their property funds is dominating the headlines. We are used to being able to move our money around the market with “impunity”. I put … Continue reading →

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Insurers – VFM and the Competition Commission.

Posted on April 26, 2016 by

  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 →

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