Helping Pensions UK inspire the next generation of talent

Pensions UK’s Annual Conference, the largest annual gathering for the pensions industry, returned to Manchester in 2025, welcoming delegates to Manchester Central over three days.

Delivering forward-thinking conversations under the theme “2030 Ready” to over 1,500 delegates, the conference provided an overview of the future of the pensions industry, with thought leaders in economics, social research, finance, and technology sharing their insights.

This year, however, the conference organisers wanted to give back to the city that has been its host and implement a new social impact and legacy programme. This programme is something Pensions UK hope to continue and expand in hopes of  supporting the local community as well as the future of the industry by providing pathways into high-quality jobs in the pensions sector.

Supporting Future Talent

Supporting its theme and looking to the future of the pensions industry, Pensions UK launched a new initiative in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University called Pensions UK: Future Leaders.

This initiative is designed to introduce university students to the opportunities and impact of a career in pensions, helping to bring young people, diverse perspectives, and new voices into the industry.

On launching the initiative Julian Mund, CEO at Pensions UK, said, “We’re thrilled to launch Pensions UK: Future Leaders at our annual conference in the city that has welcomed us for so many years. Partnering with Manchester Metropolitan University allows us to speak directly to those who will shape the future of our industry. The pensions sector continues to grow and evolve, and it’s vital that we keep enhancing and expanding our collective knowledge. By engaging with students early in their careers, we can gain fresh perspectives, broaden diversity and ensure the industry remains vibrant and forward-looking. This initiative is about working in collaboration with the next generation, inspiring tomorrow’s pensions professionals today.”

Pensions UK approached Marketing Manchester for support in enhancing the conference’s social impact. This led to introductions to the team at Manchester Metropolitan University and a joint effort with Manchester Central to design a programme of activities that complemented the main conference.

Dedicated programme for students

The collaboration culminated in a morning of student-focused activities, where 40 final-year finance and accountancy students took part in sessions exploring both the theory and practice of pensions and investments.

Sessions included industry professionals from companies such as Aviva, BlackRock, Invesco and the Greater Manchester Pensions Fund as well as experts from Pensions UK; sharing personal insights and experiences offering a unique perspective of life in the pensions industry.

These students had the opportunity to join delegates at the main conference to experience the industry first-hand by attending talks, networking with professionals, and visiting the exhibition hall to learn more about the companies exhibiting.

The students were able to learn more about potential careers and opportunities within the pensions sector, an area of finance that is often overlooked. By seeing and speaking to real people working in the sector from a range of backgrounds and experiences, the conference was able to inspire and excite the students about the possibilities after university. The students said they loved hearing from women in finance, people from diverse backgrounds and people building careers in different aspects of the industry; making it easier for them to visualise career paths for themselves.

Melanie McHale, Lecturer and Banking & Finance Employability Lead at Manchester Metropolitan University, said; “We’re delighted to be partnering with Pensions UK and Marketing Manchester on the Future Leaders initiative. This is a fantastic opportunity for our final-year Banking & Finance and Accountancy students to gain real-world insight into the pensions industry, connect with professionals, and explore the impact they can have in shaping its future. We’re really pleased to offer our students the chance to discover a sector they may not be familiar with, but where they can potentially forge a meaningful career. At Manchester Metropolitan University, we’re committed to preparing our students for successful careers, and this collaboration reflects our shared values of innovation, inclusion, and community engagement. We’re grateful to Pensions UK and Marketing Manchester for working with us on this inaugural conference, and we look forward to seeing many future success stories emerge as a result.”

Image: Pensions UK

Leaving a positive legacy

The student initiative highlights Pensions UK’s commitment to foster collaboration between the industry, academia, and the wider community but also is a great example of Marketing Manchester’s ambition to ensure tourism has a positive impact across our region’s economy, society and environment as part of the region’s tourism strategy.

Marketing Manchester recently launched a Legacy and Social Impact Guide, created in collaboration with Manchester Central and Manchester Community Central (Macc). The guide connects event organisers with charities, community projects and education providers across the region to help them make a positive impact in the city and implement positive change.

Set out across six key themes, including education and careers, environment, food, diversity, equity, and inclusion, social and community, and higher education, the guide offers a range of charities and organisations for event organisers to partner with when hosting an event in Manchester.

Richard Walker, Tourism Sustainability Manager at Marketing Manchester, said, “Pensions UK and Manchester Metropolitan University’s student initiative demonstrates how the city-region can collaborate with event organisers to create lasting social impact. This partnership has shown students new possibilities and will help young people build meaningful careers in the sector. It also aligns with Greater Manchester’s goal to foster a thriving city-region where everyone has access to quality jobs and opportunities.”

“Marketing Manchester is proud to have facilitated the introductions that led to the student initiative taking place. Conferences provide a great boost to our city while in town, but it is our mission to help events leave a positive impact on our city’s communities, economy, and environment for years to come. By enabling introductions to education providers, community organisations, and local charities, we can help conference organisers like Pensions UK turn ideas into action and drive real, positive benefits with a lasting impact.”

Lauren Hudson, Head of Sustainability and Impact at Manchester Central, said; “At Manchester Central, we see first-hand the power events have to bring people together and create lasting impact. By supporting and facilitating initiatives like the Pensions UK: Future Leaders Student Initiative, we can play a part in helping to develop future talent and ensure events leave a meaningful social legacy.”

Image: Pensions UK

To learn more about how you can implement an impact and legacy strand to your event from the start of the planning process and leave a positive impact both your organisation and the people of Greater Manchester, contact Marketing Manchester’s Convention Bureau team.