Episodes

  • Investment - 2026 outlook - Episode 154
    Jan 22 2026
    In this episode, Ross MacLeod is back in the host seat, this time joined by David Walker, CIO, and Chris Arcari, Head of Capital Markets, to give their views on the investment outlook for 2026.

    Throughout the episode, our experts discuss:
    • Reflections on investment markets in 2025
    • How key investment themes may play out over 2026
    • Potential risks in 2026
    • Tools for long-term investors to help manage risks
    Hymans Robertson disclaimer
    This podcast has been prepared by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon our understanding of events as at release date. It is designed to be a general summary of topical investment matters and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained in this podcast should not be construed as advice and not be considered as a substitute for specific advice as the information is generic in nature. Where a podcast refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson is not qualified to provide legal opinion and therefore you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to consider any relevant law and/or regulation. Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss matters raised in this podcast in greater detail. Guests views are separate to that of Hymans Robertson.

    The information provided in this broadcast is not financial advice. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Please note the value of investments, and income from them, may fall as well as rise. This includes but is not limited to equities, government or corporate bonds, derivatives and property, whether held directly or in a pooled or collective investment vehicle. Further, investments in developing or emerging markets may be more volatile and less marketable than in mature markets. Exchange rates may also affect the value of investments. As a result, an investor may not get back the full amount of the original investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

    Hymans Robertson LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Licensed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for a range of investment business activities.
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    25 mins
  • Investment - A groundbreaking, member focused transaction - Episode 153
    Dec 19 2025
    In this episode, Ben Farmer is joined by Simon Jones, Head of Responsible Investment here at Hymans and special guest John Hamilton, Chair of Trustees for the Stagecoach Group Pension Scheme, for a discussion on the unique journey of the Stagecoach pension scheme, recent industry dynamics and the practicalities of this transaction.The conversation offers valuable lessons for trustees and those managing pension schemes in a changing landscape, as they cover topics such as: Key changes in the pensions industry and specific updates from the Stagecoach scheme over the past year.How trustees have approached their responsibilities and the strategies considered to safeguard scheme members.A deep dive into the transaction process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented.We hope you enjoy listening. If you have any questions, on anything covered throughout the episode, please get in touch.Related contentInvestment – endgame planning, productive finance and the brave new world for DB pension scheme investmentThe investment impact of DB schemes choosing to run-onExcellence in EndgamesThe untapped potential of pensionsFoundations - Why Britain has stagnatedFiscal risks and sustainability – September 2024 - Office for Budget ResponsibilityChapters: 01.10 – Introduction 01.55 – The growth/pensions relationship and quick history of the Stagecoach pension scheme06.39 – Pensions industry dynamics and Stagecoach scheme developments in the past 12 months09.14 – “Preserve, protect, enhance” and trustees exploring their options13:57 – Practicalities of the Stagecoach-Aberdeen transaction19.55 – Investment considerations for the framework that’s been put in place25:08 – Learnings from the process and calls to action for the future29.22 – Summary and wrap upHymans Robertson disclaimerThis podcast has been prepared by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon our understanding of events as at release date. It is designed to be a general summary of topical investment matters and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained in this podcast should not be construed as advice and not be considered as a substitute for specific advice as the information is generic in nature. Where a podcast refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson is not qualified to provide legal opinion and therefore you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to consider any relevant law and/or regulation. Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss matters raised in this podcast in greater detail. Guests views are separate to that of Hymans Robertson.The information provided in this broadcast is not financial advice. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Please note the value of investments, and income from them, may fall as well as rise. This includes but is not limited to equities, government or corporate bonds, derivatives and property, whether held directly or in a pooled or collective investment vehicle. Further, investments in developing or emerging markets may be more volatile and less marketable than in mature markets. Exchange rates may also affect the value of investments. As a result, an investor may not get back the full amount of the original investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Hymans Robertson LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Licensed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for a range of investment business activities.
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    31 mins
  • Investment - The investment impact of DB schemes choosing to run-on - Episode 152
    Dec 11 2025
    In this episode, Ben Farmer is joined by Ben Fox and Sean Burnard from LawDeb to unpack the concept of pension scheme “run-on”. Together, they explore why this approach is gaining traction, what it looks like from an investment perspective, and the practical considerations trustees need to weigh. From real-world case studies to non-investment factors, this discussion offers valuable insights for schemes navigating their endgame strategy. Throughout the episode, our experts discuss topics such as:
    • What do we mean by “pension scheme run-on”
    • Why are we talking about this now, and why might schemes want to run-on?
    • What does run-on look like from an investment standpoint?
    • Running on in practice: case studies
    • Non-investment factors to consider re: run-on
    Related content
    Investment – endgame planning, productive finance and the brave new world for DB pension scheme investment
    Excellence in Endgames hub
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    31 mins
  • Investment - Effective stewardship in a shifting investment landscape - Episode 151
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode of Hymans Robertson On... Investment, Jaid Longmore is back in the hosting chair, joined by colleague and fellow Responsible Investment Consultant, Chris O'Bryen to discuss effective stewardship in today's shifting investment environment.

    Jaid and Chris are joined by Tom Attwooll, Senior Specialist of Asset Owners and Investment Practices at the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Tom brings expertise on how asset owners can respond to the increasing challenge of being an effective steward.

    Throughout the episode, our experts discuss topics such as:
    • Recent policy changes, regulatory shifts and their impact on shareholder rights.
    • How asset owners can adapt when asset managers are less able to challenge or influence company management.
    • The concept of systemic stewardship, focusing on system-level risks and opportunities and guidance for asset owners on how to approach this.
    We hope you enjoy listening. If you have any questions on anything covered in this episode, please get in touch.

    Related content

    Our 2024 Stewardship Code report
    Engagement: our progress so far
    Hymans engage
    Addressing system-level risks and opportunities through responsible investment practice: A technical guide І PRI
    Guide to effective collaboration engagement І PRI
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    23 mins
  • DC Quarterly Round-up - November 2025 - Episode 150
    Nov 17 2025
    Hymans Robertson disclaimer

    This podcast has been prepared by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon our understanding of events as at release date. It is designed to be a general summary of topical investment matters and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained in this podcast should not be construed as advice and not be considered as a substitute for specific advice as the information is generic in nature. Where a podcast refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson is not qualified to provide legal opinion and therefore you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to consider any relevant law and/or regulation. Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss matters raised in this podcast in greater detail. Guests views are separate to that of Hymans Robertson.

    The information provided in this broadcast is not financial advice. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Please note the value of investments, and income from them, may fall as well as rise. This includes but is not limited to equities, government or corporate bonds, derivatives and property, whether held directly or in a pooled or collective investment vehicle. Further, investments in developing or emerging markets may be more volatile and less marketable than in mature markets. Exchange rates may also affect the value of investments. As a result, an investor may not get back the full amount of the original investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

    Hymans Robertson LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Licensed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for a range of investment business activities.
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    7 mins
  • Investment - Navigating ESG in investment - Episode 149
    Sep 24 2025
    In this episode of Hymans Robertson On... Investment, host Jaid Longmore along with Sanjay Joshi, Responsible Investment Consultant at Hymans Robertson, is joined by Dan Mikulskis, Chief Investment Officer at People's Partnership to discuss the future of ESG investing.

    The ESG pushback has been significant across the investment landscape. Its origins, whether ideological, political, or practical have left asset owners at a crossroads. During this episode, our experts discuss:
    • The origins of the ESG pushback we're currently witnessing
    • To what extent this pushback is ideological, political or practical.
    • The implications across the investment landscape.
    We hope you enjoy listening. If you have any questions on anything covered in this episode, please get in touch.

    Related content

    • Responsible Investment News and Views - Q2 2025


    Hymans Robertson disclaimer
    This podcast has been prepared by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon our understanding of events as at release date. It is designed to be a general summary of topical investment matters and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained in this podcast should not be construed as advice and not be considered as a substitute for specific advice as the information is generic in nature. Where a podcast refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson is not qualified to provide legal opinion and therefore you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to consider any relevant law and/or regulation. Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss matters raised in this podcast in greater detail. Guests views are separate to that of Hymans Robertson.
    The information provided in this broadcast is not financial advice. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Please note the value of investments, and income from them, may fall as well as rise. This includes but is not limited to equities, government or corporate bonds, derivatives and property, whether held directly or in a pooled or collective investment vehicle. Further, investments in developing or emerging markets may be more volatile and less marketable than in mature markets. Exchange rates may also affect the value of investments. As a result, an investor may not get back the full amount of the original investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
    Hymans Robertson LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Licensed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for a range of investment business activities.
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    17 mins
  • DC Quarterly Round Up - August 2025 - Episode 148
    Aug 4 2025
    In this episode of Hymans Robertson On..., Kirsty Moffat, Senior DC Investment Consultant, presents the latest DC quarterly round-up. In this instalment, Kirsty discusses:
    • Pension reforms and oversight: The New Pension Schemes Bill introduces mandatory value-for-money assessments, scale targets for master trusts, automatic small pot consolidation, and required default decumulation options. Meanwhile, the new Pensions Commission focuses on retirement adequacy, long-term outcomes, state pension age review, and challenges of an aging population.
    • Industry commitments and standards updates: Seventeen leading DC providers have pledged through the Mansion House Accord to invest at least 10% of their default funds in UK economy-supporting assets by 2030. At the same time, the Retirement Living Standards have been updated to reflect cost-of-living changes, with varying impacts across minimum, moderate, and comfortable lifestyles.
    • Pensions dashboards and market volatility management: Progress continues as pension schemes connect to the dashboard system with regulatory support to aid trustee compliance. Trustees are encouraged to monitor member behaviour, communicate economic impacts, promote guidance-seeking before investment changes, and regularly review investment strategies amid market volatility.
    Hymans Robertson disclaimer

    This podcast has been prepared by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon our understanding of events as at release date. It is designed to be a general summary of topical investment matters and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained in this podcast should not be construed as advice and not be considered as a substitute for specific advice as the information is generic in nature. Where a podcast refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson is not qualified to provide legal opinion and therefore you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to consider any relevant law and/or regulation.

    Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss matters raised in this podcast in greater detail. Guests views are separate to that of Hymans Robertson.The information provided in this broadcast is not financial advice. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Please note the value of investments, and income from them, may fall as well as rise. This includes but is not limited to equities, government or corporate bonds, derivatives and property, whether held directly or in a pooled or collective investment vehicle. Further, investments in developing or emerging markets may be more volatile and less marketable than in mature markets. Exchange rates may also affect the value of investments. As a result, an investor may not get back the full amount of the original investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

    Hymans Robertson LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Licensed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for a range of investment business activities.
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    7 mins
  • Investment - Capital Markets mid-year update 2025 - Episode 147
    Jul 31 2025
    In this episode of Hymans Robertson On... Investment, Ben Farmer is back in the hosting chair to bring you a mainstay episode in the form of a Capital Markets mid-year update for 2025.

    Ben is joined by Chris Arcari, Head of Capital Markets at Hymans Robertson, and Torsten Slok, Chief Economist at Apollo Global Management, to take a look at market movements from the first half of 2025 and discuss what we might expect to see in the second half of the year.

    Throughout the episode, our experts cover:
    • How US growth can be likened to a well-known sports brand's swoosh.
    • Recession risks.
    • Market impacts and areas of relative value.
    • An outlook for private market assets.

    They round off the episode with some practical takeaways:
    • Understanding equity allocations, including exposure to the US and specific sectors.
    • Reviewing currency hedging, given that the US may no longer be the 'safe haven' it once was.
    • Assessing credit exposure.
    If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any of the topics covered further, please get in touch.

    Chapters
    01.10 – Introduction
    02.16 – Quick summary of economic and market developments 2025 to date
    04.20 – Key economic themes and “Nike Swoosh” expectations
    08.50 – Recession risks and bubble conditions
    14.06 – Market impacts and areas of relative value
    16.51 – Outlook for private market assets
    21.18 – Practical takeaways and implications for asset allocation decisions
    23.52 – Summary and wrap up


    Related content
    Investment perspectives - July 2025 edition
    Capital Markets update - Summer 2025
    Daily Spark - Apollo Academy

    Hymans Robertson disclaimer
    This podcast has been prepared by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon our understanding of events as at release date. It is designed to be a general summary of topical investment matters and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained in this podcast should not be construed as advice and not be considered as a substitute for specific advice as the information is generic in nature. Where a podcast refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson is not qualified to provide legal opinion and therefore you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to consider any relevant law and/or regulation. Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss matters raised in this podcast in greater detail. Guests views are separate to that of Hymans Robertson.
    The information provided in this broadcast is not financial advice. Past performance is not a guide to the future. Please note the value of investments, and income from them, may fall as well as rise. This includes but is not limited to equities, government or corporate bonds, derivatives and property, whether held directly or in a pooled or collective investment vehicle. Further, investments in developing or emerging markets may be more volatile and less marketable than in mature markets. Exchange rates may also affect the value of investments. As a result, an investor may not get back the full amount of the original investment. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
    Hymans Robertson LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Licensed by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for a range of investment business activities.

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    26 mins