London HR Connection Event: The Pensions Periscope

Robin Hames, Head of Technical, Bluefin

Robin is responsible for the analysis of all benefits legislation and the development of appropriate strategies for clients. He and his team support Bluefin’s consultants in the delivery of advice for corporate and trustee clients. He is a regular speaker and writer on the topic of employee benefits, in general, and pension schemes, in particular. Robin is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and a committee member of the Society of Pension Consultants.

Michael Cole, Partner, Penningtons

Michael is a partner in the employment team at Penningtons. He qualified as a solicitor in 1994, joined the firm as a senior solicitor in 1999, and became a partner in 2001.

Michael specialises in all aspects of employment law (including discrimination law). He regularly advises clients on new regulations, drafts employment contracts and handbooks and represents parties in the employment tribunal. Michael presents seminars on a wide range of employment-related topics, provides clients with in-house training, and is a regular author of specialist articles. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Sue Norman, Pensions & Benefits Manager, IMS

Sue has worked in the pensions industry for more years than she wishes to count. Her pensions career began with administration, moved on to consultancy and independent financial advice, followed by a period of client account management at Gartmore. She also tried her hand at being a product provider by running the Gartmore Personal Pension Trust for 6 years, but then left to test drive retirement in Zurich.

On her return to the UK in 2003, Sue felt the need to boost her neglected pension provision by returning to employment, this time taking on Pensions Manager roles. She joined IMS Health as Pensions & Benefits Manager in 2007.
She is also a Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute.

This is a London HR Connection event

London HR Connection is a Special Interest Group of Central London Branch, offering regular monthly events that offer great speakers on the hottest topics in the world of Human Resources. LHRC events are organised and run by the LHRC team and are separate from the CIPD Central London Branch event programme. These events are chargeable (cost for single event £35 + VAT, cost for six events £75 + VAT). Full details can be found on the London HR Connection website www.londonhr.org, under the Membership tab.

If you are interested in membership of LHRC, and/or in booking a place at this event please visit the website, or contact the LHRC membership coordinator by clicking the link below.

Anticipating changes ahead in choppy seas - This roundtable, hosted by Bluefin, will give you the unique opportunity to hear the views and perspectives of a benefits consultancy, a law firm and a fellow HR professional on the best ways to plan and cope.

With changes to the tax relief on pensions and the abolition of the default retirement age both coming into force this year and with the introduction of the new employer pension duties due in 2012, it's safe to say that pensions are going to be high on the HR professional's agenda.

Through this interactive panel session you'll firstly get an insight into the key issues and also the chance to question a leading consultant, lawyer and fellow HR practitioner on the best ways to develop your employer strategy in response to these challenges.

• Email Denise Jones, London HR Connection Membership Coordinator