08/10/2008: NAPF Annual Conference & Exhibition 2008 - 8 - 10 October: “Better knowledge for better pensions”

Our 2008 Annual Conference & Exhibition will take place on 8 - 10 October in Glasgow.

A new date and a very new format are just two of the things which are making the Conference a high point of the year. Valued comments from our members have prompted a number of key changes:

Fund member delegates will be admitted free of charge.
The conference will be targeted at wider interest groups with additional programme streams for HR, FDs', DC and trustees.
More opportunities to network including a drinks reception in the exhibition hall on Wednesday 8 October and a Gala dinner on Thursday 9 October.
Gold, silver and bronze sponsorship opportunities will be introduced following their successful adoption at this years Autumn Conference.
The event will start at lunchtime on Wednesday and finish at lunchtime on Friday.
The timing of the event is deliberately set so as not to be too close to the highly acclaimed NAPF Investment Conference (5 - 7 March).
Remember, the NAPF speaks for workplace pensions and belongs to its members. This is YOUR Association and YOUR event.


· Keynote Speakers – Rt. Hon James Purnell MP and Professor Lord Robert Winston;
· Free Attendance For Trustees, Pension Managers, Finance Directors, HR Managers and Administrators of NAPF Fund Members;
· Full programme covering all aspects of pensions;
· Press passes available.


Speakers

Rt. Hon James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Professor Lord Robert Winston, academic, medical expert and broadcaster, will headline a first class list of speakers at the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2008 - ‘Better knowledge for better pensions.’ Other key speakers include:-

David Norgrove – Chairman of The Pensions Regulator;
Partha Dasgupta – Chief Executive of the Pension Protection Fund;
Tim Jones – Chief Executive of the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority;
Robert Peston – Broadcaster.


Attendees

This year’s conference will bring together hundreds of leading pension specialists from across the industry and for the first time, entry to the conference and exhibition is free to all NAPF fund members. This includes scheme managers, administrators and trustees as well as finance and HR representatives from sponsoring employers. There's no limit on the number of delegates NAPF fund members can send for free.

Conference Programme

With 2008 being a pivotal year for UK pensions, the conference programme covers all the major issues:-

· Specialist streams for DC pensions, Finance Directors, HR Directors and Pensions Technical (see notes to editors)
· The very best of DC – lessons from around the world
· Over-regulation, deregulation and better regulation – the way ahead
· How the credit crunch will affect pensions?
· Personal Accounts – Getting ready for 2012
· Oxford Union Debate – “This House believes the state, and not employers or individuals, should bear the risk of longevity”

· Buy-Outs – Deal or No Deal?
· Assessing trustee performance
· Selling the pensions message

Alongside the conference, the exhibition gives delegates the opportunity to view and discuss the latest products and services directly with the providers and advisers.

The event is being held at the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow, from 8th – 10th October.

Sponsors

Already a number of major organisations have taken key sponsorship roles including Lucida, Resolution Asset Management, Swiss Re, Standard Life, HSBC, Watson Wyatt Worldwide, BlackRock and Xafinity Paymaster.

Press Passes

For media wishing to attend the conference, please contact Mark Brooks for a press pass via e-mail at mark.brooks@napf.co.uk. There will be a press room.

Further information about the conference can be found via the NAPF web-site at http://www.napf.co.uk/conferences/Annual2008/index.cfm


ENDS

Notes to editors

As pensions increasingly concern not only pension managers and trustees, but also Finance Directors and HR managers, this year’s programme provides four specialist streams:

· DC: Default funds; DC Governance; decumulation; annuities drawdown; Group SIPPs; catering for a diversified workforce.
· Human Resources: workplace advice; flexible retirement; pensions in today’s remuneration package;
· Finance Directors: managing risk; conflicts of interest; buyouts and other de-risking solutions; accounting standards; impact of pension on corporate activity.
· Pensions Technical: the long and the short of longevity; Statutory funding objective; LDI and risk management; diversification; trustees and sponsors – successful negotiations.


About The National Association of Pension Funds

The NAPF is the leading voice of workplace pension provision in the UK. Some 10 million working people are currently in NAPF Member schemes, while around 5 million pensioners are receiving valuable retirement income from such schemes. NAPF Member schemes hold assets of around £800bn, and account for approximately one fifth of investment in the UK stock market.

Journalists requiring further information, please contact Mark Brooks via

020 7808 1312 mark.brooks@napf.co.uk 07917 506683


Mark Brooks
Head of Press
Tel: 020 7808 1312 07917 506 683
Fax: 020 7222 7585
http://www.napf.co.uk