The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) has surpassed 10,000 members for the first time, reaching nearly 10,200 professionals as it marks its 50th anniversary.

The PMI said the milestone reflected a broader commitment across the pensions industry to strengthen standards, invest in capability, and prepare for higher expectations around governance and saver outcomes. It noted that growth had been supported by initiatives including its Trustee Accelerator Programme and Development Partnership model, which are designed to expand access to learning, qualifications and professional recognition across organisations. In particular, it said that Development Partnerships had played a significant role in increasing membership by enabling employers to provide structured access to PMI membership, qualifications and learning. Looking ahead, the PMI said it would continue to expand its qualifications framework, enhance digital learning and create more flexible routes for progression, as part of efforts to build a long-term talent pipeline for the pensions industry.

TPT Retirement Solutions (TPT) has been appointed as the PMI's new Insight Partner for defined benefit (DB) superfunds.

TPT will deliver thought leadership, expert commentary and educational content for PMI members, with a focus on demystifying the superfund model and exploring its role within endgame planning. The appointment follows TPT’s announcement of its intention to launch a new DB superfund designed to help schemes run on, subject to successful assessment by The Pensions Regulator. TPT head of superfund proposition, Steve Collins, said: “Becoming the PMI’s Superfund Insight Partner reflects our commitment to supporting industry learning, debate and innovation at an important time for the pensions market. As endgame strategies continue to evolve, we are pleased to be able to contribute practical insights, informed by our own work to progress our superfund proposition, to help trustees, sponsors and advisers navigate an increasingly complex environment and support greater understanding of how superfunds may expand choice for the right schemes.” PMI chief customer officer, Varsha Gicas, said the partnership would help the industry build confidence and improve understanding of superfunds following the Pension Schemes Act. “This partnership will ensure our members have access to high-quality insight at a time when superfunds are becoming an increasingly important part of the DB endgame conversation,” she added.

Aviva Investors has launched three new fixed income strategies in response to growing client demand and the evolving role of fixed income in portfolios.

The three new Luxembourg UCITS SICAV funds are the Global Hybrid Bond Fund, the Senior ABS Income Fund and the Global Unconstrained Credit Fund. Aviva Investors said the strategies were designed to support growing investor demand for dependable income and portfolio stability across different market environments. The Global Hybrid Bond Fund will invest primarily in hybrid bonds issued by global issuers and will be led by Aviva Investors senior portfolio manager, Justine Vroman. The Senior ABS Income Fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of high-grade, liquid asset-backed securities and will be led by Aviva Investors senior portfolio manager and head of enhanced liquidity, Todd Cutting. The Global Unconstrained Credit Fund, led by Aviva Investors senior portfolio manager and head of multi-sector credit, Chris Higham, will have flexibility to invest across the global credit opportunity set. Aviva Investors global head of fixed income, Fraser Lundie, commented: “We’re hugely pleased to be able to take this new suite of strategies out to market, expanding upon existing product offering to end clients, as we seek to provide increasingly tailored fixed income solutions. The fixed income marketplace has undergone vast change in recent decades, with the current landscape marked by increased complexity and greater responsibility for the role the asset class plays within broader asset allocations. It is therefore our duty to develop customised solutions that can provide clients with the resilient income that they are seeking from their fixed income exposure.”

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