PASA Edinburgh Conference 2026

Keynote: TBC

Panel: PPI research

Fireside Chat - Public Sector Pensions: Complexity, Scale and the Pressure to Deliver

Public sector pensions administration sits at the centre of some of the most complex operational challenges in the industry. From remedy implementation and procurement pressures, to fragmented administration structures, data quality concerns and increasing expectations around digital delivery, schemes across both Scotland and England are navigating significant and sustained change.

In this fireside discussion, Jo Darbyshire, CEO of LPPA and PASA Director, is joined by Stephen Pathirana from SPPA to explore the realities of delivering large-scale public sector pensions administration across a variety of public sector schemes including Jo's experience of delivering administration to 11 LGPS Funds in England, Stephen's experience of delivering administration to NHS Scotland and Teachers Scotland and their shared experience of blue light pensions administration. The session will examine where experiences diverge, where challenges overlap, and what the wider pensions industry can learn from the scale, scrutiny and operational complexity of public sector delivery.

Drawing on themes emerging from PASA’s developing Public Sector Working Group, the discussion will focus on resilience, governance, digital maturity, member outcomes and the growing pressure to deliver sustainable administration models in an increasingly demanding environment.

Speakers:

• Jo Darbyshire, CEO, LPPA and PASA Director
• Stephen Pathirana, CEO, SPPA

Panel 1 – And You May Ask Yourself: Are We Ready for Dashboards Becoming Real?

For years, dashboards discussions have focused on connection timelines, matching conventions and technical readiness. But as dashboards begin moving from policy ambition into real-world usage, the conversation is changing.

This session explores what happens when members actually start interacting with dashboards and engaging differently with their pensions. It will examine the operational, technological and communication challenges emerging as dashboards become visible to savers and what schemes, providers and administrators need to do to build confidence in the experience.

The discussion will focus not just on whether the industry can connect successfully, but whether it is truly prepared for the behavioural, service and reputational impact dashboards may create. Because once pensions become easier to see, compare and question, member expectations are unlikely to remain the same.

Board sponsor – Kim Gubler

Speakers:

• TBC

Panel 2 – Letting the Days Go By: Communicating with the Members We Actually Have

Pensions communications have traditionally been designed around standardised journeys, assumptions about member behaviour and broad demographic averages. But today's membership is more diverse, more digitally influenced and more varied in how information is understood, processed and trusted.

This session explores what happens when pensions administration and communications are designed around real people rather than 'typical' members. Drawing on insights from neurodiversity, behavioural understanding, generational engagement and cultural inclusion, the discussion will examine how schemes and administrators can create communications which are clearer, more accessible and more effective across a much broader range of member experiences.

The session will challenge long-held assumptions around engagement and accessibility, exploring how communications strategies must evolve if the industry is serious about improving understanding, trust and outcomes for all savers.

Board sponsor – Amanda Asante

Speakers:

• Paul Meredith, LCP
• Waleed Khan, Gallagher

Panel 3 – Into the Blue Again: Managing the Derisking and Endgame Journey

As more schemes progress towards buyout, consolidation or long-term endgame strategies, administration has become increasingly central to successful delivery. What was once viewed primarily as an actuarial or investment discussion is now deeply operational, relying on accurate data, resilient processes, coordinated governance and effective member engagement.

This session explores the practical realities of preparing schemes for endgame activity and the growing pressure this places on administrators, providers and trustees. From data readiness and benefit accuracy, to sequencing projects alongside business-as-usual pressures, the panel will examine how the industry is managing increasingly complex delivery demands while maintaining member confidence and operational resilience.

The discussion will focus on how schemes move beyond high-level strategy and translate endgame ambition into practical, sustainable execution.

Board sponsor – Dan Taylor

Speakers:

• Ian Wort (Chair), Isio
• TBC

Panel 4 - Once in a Lifetime: Leading Yourself Before You Lead Others

Developing the skills, mindset and resilience needed for the next generation of pensions administration leaders.

Pensions administration has never been more visible, more influential or more strategically important. Yet as the profession evolves, so too must the skills required of its future leaders.

Technical expertise remains essential, but tomorrow's administration leaders will also need emotional intelligence, resilience, self-awareness and the ability to lead through uncertainty, change and increasing complexity. Before leading teams, projects or organisations, leaders must first learn how to lead themselves.

This session explores the personal side of leadership development and examines how the industry can better identify, support and develop its future leaders.

Drawing on PASA's work around careers and professional development, the panel will discuss the skills that matter most in modern leadership, how individuals can build them and what organisations should be doing today to create the leadership pipeline the profession will need tomorrow.

Bringing together perspectives from administration leadership, psychology, talent development and personal performance, the discussion will explore both the science and practice of developing the leaders our profession will need for the future.

Board sponsor – Duncan Watson

Speakers:

• TBC